CLUSTERS OF FULLERENE MOLECULES AND METAL ATOMS

Intensity anomalies in the mass spectra of (C-60)(n), (C-60)M(x) and ( C-60)(n)M(x) clusters can be used to identify particularly stable full erene and fulleride units. Small, n < 147, fullerene clusters appear t o have icosahedral symmetry. Multiple layers of alkaline earth metals can be deposited on single C-60 molecules. The first four layers of me tal are well described in terms of a periodically reoccurring icosahed ral motif. The stability of alkali metal coated C-60, on the other han d, is better described by the completion of shells of electrons rather than shells of atoms. Finally, data are presented for shrink-wrapping fullerenes around alkali halide molecules.