Reaction of [60]Fullerene with Terbium(IV) Fluoride

Topochemical solid-state reactions and problems of selective synthesis of fullerene derivatives

“…13 Iron trifluoride does not react with C 60 , 12 whereas TbF 4 (as the strongest SFA in this series) gives a broad range of fluorofullerenes, including compounds in which the number of fluorine atoms (n) is larger than 48, and gives also small amounts of hyperfluorinated (n > 60) molecules. 14 Even the selective solid state synthesis of fluoro fullerenes is accompanied by the formation of a number of by products of similar chemical composition in addi tion to the major product C 60 F 2m . For example, C 60 F 32 , C 60 F 34 , and C 60 F 38 along with the major product C 60 F 36 escape from the C 60 /MeF 3 reaction mixture (Me = Mn, Co) to the gas phase at 600-650 K. 11 In the reaction with MnF 3 , the percentage of C 60 F 36 can be much higher than 90%.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] The reactions of fluorides MnF 3 , CoF 3 , and CeF 4 with C 60 afford predominantly C 60 F 36 . 11, 12 The reaction with potassium hexafluoroplatinate selectively produces C 60 F 18 .…”

Surprises, Serendipity, and Symmetry in Fullerene Chemistry

“…This, the first fluorofullerene to be characterised, has a structure consistent with theoretical predictions, 50 and forms a red charge-transfer complex with toluene (isolable as red crystals). 52 48 C 60 F 48 can also be produced by fluorinating with KrF 2 , which generates fewer oxide-containing species.…”

Why fluorinate fullerenes?

“…Thus if fluorination is carried out with a non-volatile fluorinating agent under vacuum, the product can be swept away before further fluorination occurs. Metal fluoride fluorination reagents such as MnF 3 , CeF 4 and K 2 PtF 6 , have been used extensively for this purpose [12], a technique introduced at Moscow University Thermochemistry Laboratory. Due to their different fluorine-release temperatures, the nature of the fluorinated product can be selected to some extent.…”