Novel method of synthesis of C60F48 with improved yield and selectivity

A novel two-stage method of preparation Of C60F48 with 96% purity and 80% yield is reported. A C-60 embedded into a MnF2 matrix is reacted with molecular fluorine under dynamic conditions, i.e. in flow of fluorine gas and with sublimation of volatile products, which results in formation Of C60F34-C60F38 mixtures with > 90% yield. Subsequent fluorination of the mixture thus obtained in the closed reactor at elevated pressure directly leads to the final product. C60F48 thus synthesized has been characterized by means of EI-MS, MALDI-MS, IR-spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The problems of fullerene burning and degradation in the fluorine atmosphere are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.