EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF C60 (BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE), C60H36, AND THE SOLVATED BUCKIDE ION

Buckminsterfullerene, C60, was prepared in gram quantities by contact-arc vaporization of a graphite rod in a 100-Torr atmosphere of helium, followed by extraction of the resultant graphitic soot with toluene. The dominance of C60 in this extract was verified by mass, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. The molecule was successfully hydrogenated to C60H36 via a Birch reduction and dehydrogenated back to bare C60 by treatment with DDQ reagent. Cyclic voltammetry of C60 in methylene chloride revealed highly reversible formation of at least two stable anionic forms of C60 in solution. A broad new class of these fulleride and fulleronium ions is anticipated, both with the internal cavity empty and with any one of a large number of elements inside, thus providing a means of fine-tuning the chemical, optical, and redox properties. © 1990 American Chemical Society.