Large Odd-Numbered Carbon Clusters from Fullerene-Ozone Reactions
Stephen W. McElvany 1,
John H. Callahan 1,
Mark M. Ross 1,
Lowell D. Lamb 2, and
Donald R. Huffman 2
1 Code 6113/Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5320
2 Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
The odd-numbered carbon clusters C119, C129, and C139 have been observed in the mass spectra of toluene extracts of fullerene soots and of the products of ozone-fullerene reactions. Specifically, ozone-C60 reactions yield C119, ozone-C70 reactions yield C139, and ozone-(C60/C70) reactions produce C119, C129, and C139. These unexpected species correspond to dimers of C60, C60/C70, and C70, respectively, less one carbon atom, and are stable gas-phase ions with behavior similar to that of fullerenes. The results suggest a new route to functionalization and derivatization of fullerenes through controlled ozone-catalyzed cage-opening reactions.
Submitted on March 11, 1993
Accepted on April 27, 1993
