BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE C60 - SYNTHESIS, SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION, AND STRUCTURE-ANALYSIS

We have synthesized C60 in gram quantities using the Kratschmer and Huffman technique. The arc vaporization of a graphite rod was performed at 100 Torr in a static helium atmosphere. The yield by toluene extraction is 7% of the soot produced. C60 in the toluene extract was identified by mass, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. The result of analytical HPLC showed the content of C70 to be 13% in the toluene extract and 9% in the samples sublimated at 400-degrees-C. X-ray and electron diffraction studies show that C60 molecules form fcc or hcp crystals, depending on the substrate and sublimation conditions. A new phase with tetragonal symmetry has been found in the sublimated sample, presumably formed by C70 or larger C fullerenes.Chemistry, PhysicalSCI(E)17LETTER249615-96189