PRODUCTION OF PERFLUOROALKYLATED NANOSPHERES FROM BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE

Perfluoroalkylated nanospheres have been prepared by reaction of fulle renes with a variety of fluoroalkyl radicals. The latter are generated by thermal or photochemical decomposition of fluoroalkyl iodides or f luorodiacyl peroxides. Up to 16 radicals add to C60 to afford easily i solable fluoroalkylated derivatives. The monosubstituted radical adduc ts were detected by spin resonance in the early stages of the fluoroal kylation reactions. These sphe-electron roidal molecules are thermally quite stable, soluble in fluoroorganic solvents, chemically resistant to corrosive aqueous solutions, and more volatile than the parent ful lerenes. Films of the sublimed material display properties typical for a perfluoroalkylated material.