Generation and characterization of C-60(CN)(2)(n-)(n=1,2,3)

The mono-anion, di-anion and tri-anion of dicyanodihydrofullerene [C-60(CN) (2)] have been generated and monitored with a thin-layer spectro-electroche mical cell. The characteristic MR absorption bands are found to be at 1019, 875 as well as at 744, and 691 nm for C-60(CN)(2)(-), C-60(CN)(2)(2-) and C-60(CN)(2)(3-), respectively. Density functional theory calculations indic ate that those anions exhibit no Jahn-Teller effect and possess charge dist ributions and shape distortions that are different from C-60(n-)(n = 1,2,3) upon negative charge addition. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.