La2C80: A soluble dimetallofullerene

Abstract

Application of the Krätschmer-Huffman method to a lanthana-graphite mixture yields an extractable molecule of formula La2C80, in addition to the recently reported LaC82. Its solubility properties suggest that it is similar to the well-characterized higher fullerenes C76, C78, and C84, and its estimated yield, based on laser-desorption mass spectra of (±)-charged molecules, is comparable to these. The finding of a series of particularly extractable molecules (LanC84-2n, n = 0, 1, 2) could indicate either a special type of structure or an isoelectronic series. We are attempting to isolate this molecule by chromatography. © 1991 American Chemical Society.