CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATIONS OF FULLERENES - DISCOVERY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF C-60 MONO-EPOXIDE

A semi-preparative scale high-pressure liquid chromatographic method f or the separation of the fullerene extract components has been develop ed. During the course of these separations, a new fullerene species wa s isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry, C-13 NMR, and infra red and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. Mass spectrometry identifies t his component as the mono-oxygen adduct of C60 (C60O) and C-13 NMR str ongly supports the epoxide structure rather than the isomeric oxido-an nulene structure. In addition, the effects of different solvents on th e optical absorption spectra of purified C60 and C70 and crystalline p roperties of C60 fullerite powder are reported.