High-yield preparation of dimetallofullerenes by the improved DC arc discharge method

The soot containing yttrium metallofullerenes was prepared by DC are discha rge method under novel conditions including the use of YNi2 alloy, high hel ium static pressure and high Y:C ratio and extracted by CS2. The extract wa s enriched by column liquid chromatography on silica gel with a mixed solve nt of 85% petroleum ether and 15% xylene, xylene and carbon disulfide as su ccessive eluents. Mass spectra show that dimetallofullerenes with nearly no detectable monometallofullerenes were obtained in bulk quantities. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.