Thermochemistry of fullerene anions in the gas phase

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The gas-phase negative ion thermochemistry of fullerenes is the focus of this article. Fullerene anions are remarkably stable species and have been observed in the solid state, in solution, and in the gas phase. Recent mass spectrometric observations of doubly charged anions of fullerenes and some of their derivatives with electronegative addends promise a new insight into the unique electronic properties of fullerenes. The gas-phase reactivity of fullerene anions and the energetics of electron-exchange reactions have been studied by the flowing afterglow and Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry methods. The application of Knudsen Cell Mass Spectrometry for studies of ion/molecular equilibria of fullerenes at elevated temperatures is discussed in detail. That method has yielded electron affinities of the higher fullerenes and some exo- and endohedral derivatives. The proposed method of the fullerene fluoroderivatives generated in situ in a mass spectrometer has enabled determination of the C—F bond energies. Although simple in design and implementation, the method of Ion-Molecule Equilibria represents an effective and powerful tool for the thermochemical studies of such complex molecules as fullerene derivatives. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 16: 333–351, 1997