C₁₂₀O_n from C₆₀Br₂₄

Abstract

Microcrystalline mixture of fullerene dimer oxides (C₁₂₀O_n, n=1,2,3,...) was extracted from decomposed C₆₀Br₂₄. Low-temperature FTIR studies of the product showed the absence of orientational ordering transitions indicating freezing of C₆₀ rotations due to inter-cage bonding and epoxidation. Characteristic features due to inter-cage vibrations are seen in the far IR spectrum. Bond cleavages in MS/MS leave all the oxygen atoms of the dimer oxide with one fullerene molecule. We propose that dimers are formed by [3+2] cycloaddition of C₆₀ with its oxides, C₆₀O_n rather than cycloaddition of the monomeric oxides. Results are discussed based on the possible reaction sequences.