Electric-Arc Synthesis of New and Uncommon Endohedral Metallofullerenes

Abstract

During the last 30 years, minimal research has been successful for entrapping elements beyond the more common Sc, Y, La and 4f-block lanthanide metals. Our goal is to expand the selection of metals that can be encapsulated. Preliminary results indicate that new metallofullerenes can be produced successfully with our electric-arc, plasma reactor. Key experimental parameters were metal selection, buffer gas, gap voltage, amount of current, chamber pressure, burn time, flow rate of added gases, and choice of chemically reactive atmosphere. By manipulating these variables, we have produced new clusters in addition to conventional clusters in uncommon cages. Upon their successful synthesis, efforts are currently underway to separate and isolate these new molecules utilizing non-chromatographic methods.