Preparation and structures of [6,6]-open difluoromethylene[60]fullerenes: C60(CF2) and C60(CF2)2

Abstract

Difluoromethylenation of C₆₀ with thermally decomposed CF₂ClCO₂Na provides novel C₆₀(CF₂) and C₆₀(CF₂)₂ compounds with unique [6,6]-open structures. A theoretical survey of CF₂ derivatives of C₆₀ demonstrates that carbon cage opening can be controlled via charging of the molecule and that the thermodynamically preferable structures combine the trend to form open isomers with the compactness of the addition motifs, which results in the formation of windows in the fullerene cage.