We communicate how C-60 Hot Isostatically Pressed (HIPed) at 200 degre
es or 400 degrees C with a pressure of 1.7 kbar of Ar produces the new
fullerene-rare gas compound Ar1C60. We have shown, using Xray powder
diffraction and subsequent Rietveld analysis, that this solid can be c
haracterised stoichiometrically as Ar1C60. The stoichiometry has also
been confirmed by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showing 5% by wei
ght to be Ar (expected=5.25%). The presence of Ar is confirmed by tran
smission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectro
scopy (EDS). This material is found to be remarkably stable to loss of
Ar over several weeks at room temperature. This represents the first
full characterisation of an interstitial rare gas fullerene compound.