Novel method of synthesis of C 60F 48 with improved yield and selectivity

Abstract

A novel two-stage method of preparation of C 60F 48 with 96% purity and 80% yield is reported. A C 60 embedded into a MnF 2 matrix is reacted with molecular fluorine under dynamic conditions, i.e. in flow of fluorine gas and with sublimation of volatile products, which results in formation of C 60F 34–C 60F 38 mixtures with >90% yield. Subsequent fluorination of the mixture thus obtained in the closed reactor at elevated pressure directly leads to the final product. C 60F 48 thus synthesized has been characterized by means of EI–MS, MALDI-MS, IR-spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The problems of fullerene burning and degradation in the fluorine atmosphere are discussed.