Endohedral Metallofullerenes: From Chemical Reactivity to Material Performance

Abstract

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are hybrids of fullerenes and metal atoms or metal-containing clusters. The curved π-electron systems of the fullerene cages in EMFs are influenced strongly by the encaged metal species. The π-electron systems of EMFs, which stem from the electron transfer from the encaged metallic species, differ entirely from those of empty fullerenes. Accordingly, EMFs exhibit unique chemical reactivities and electronic properties that empty fullerenes never have. This chapter exclusively addresses the most recent achievements of our EMF research, ranging from basic chemical reactivity to material performance. This chapter includes four major parts. The first deals with the fascinating chemical reactivity of EMFs encountered very recently in our lab. The second part is devoted to EMF-based donor–acceptor conjugates, in which EMFs can display electron acceptor characters as well as electron donor characters, corresponding to the counterparts. In the third part, carrier transport properties of EMFs are summarized. The fourth part briefly describes the preparation and property of surface-grafted EMFs. Throughout, we hope that this chapter will stimulate readers to familiarize themselves with these fascinating molecules.