BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE AS A STATIONARY-PHASE IN LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

Buckminsterfullerene C60 was used as a stationary phase for the microc olumn liquid chromatographic separation (LC) of various aromatic compo unds. Carbonaceous material prepared by a general soot production proc ess was extracted with toluene, purified using several chromatographic processes, and then packed into fused silica capillary columns for ch romatographic evaluation. The performance and separation characteristi cs were examined. The results indicate that the C60 fullerene can be u seful as an LC stationary phase and offers a unique shape selectivity for aromatic compounds as compared to conventional octadecylsilica pha ses.