Quasi 3D polymerization in C60 bilayers in a fullerene solvate

The polymerization of fullerenes has been an interesting topic for almost three decades. A rich polymeric phase diagram of C-60 has been drawn under a variety of pressure-temperature conditions. However, only linear or perpendicular linkages of C-60 are found in the ordered phases. Here we used a unique bilayer structural solvate, C-60.1,1,2-trichloroethane (C-60.1TCAN),to generate a novel quasi-3D C-60 polymer under high pressure and/or high temperature. Using Raman, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, we observe that the solvent molecules play a crucial role in confining the [2 + 2] cycloaddition bonds of C(60)s forming in the upper and lower layers alternately. The relatively long distance between the two bilayers restricts the covalent linkage extended in a single individual bilayer. Our studies not only enrich the phase diagram of polymeric C-60, but also facilitate targeted design and synthesis of unique C-60 polymers. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.