ESR study on the reactivity of two isomers of LaC82 with disilirane

We observed photochemical and thermal addition of disilirane to the LaC82-A isomer, which give new ESR active species. Both ESR spectra of the adducts in photo- and thermal reactions are well simulated by at least six octet components, and the isotropic La coupling constants and g-factors of the six octet components are determined. On the other hand, the reaction of the LaC82-B isomer with disilirane gives no ESR active species. This fact is also verified by mass spectroscopic measurements. The different reactivities with disilirane of the two isomers are not interpreted by a popular view that the two isomers have a different C-82 cage structure, but we rather suggest that the origin of the isomers of metallofullerenes should be re-examined.