Gibbs energies of gas-phase electron transfer reactions involving the larger fullerene anions

Accurate data on the Gibbs energies of gas-phase fullerene anion/fullerene molecule exchange reactions have been obtained from equilibrium constant measurements using the Knudsen cell mass spectrometry method. The electron affinities (EA) for the series of [70 + 2n]fullerenes (n = 0, 1,...,18) were determined. The EA values show an increase with the size of the molecule over the whole range, although disruption from the monotonic change was observed in the series of [70]-, [72]-, [74]- and [76]fullerenes. The correlation of the EA change in the larger fullerene series with their electronic structures is discussed.