Thermally activated isomeric all-hydrocarbon molecular receptors for fullerene separation

Abstract

A new all-hydrocarbon macrocycle, cyclo[8](1,3-(4,6-dimethyl)benzene) (CDMB-8) has been reported. As prepared, it exists in C_s symmetry and shows no interaction with fullerenes (e.g., C₆₀ or C₇₀). High temperature (573 K) treatment induces thermal conversion of the material to an isomeric conformer with D_4d symmetry as a receptor for fullerene separation.