The role played by water in the oxidation of fullerene C-60 by molecular oxygen

The formation of maximally reduced hydrogen(oxygen)-containing fullerene C- 60 fragmentation products (naphthalene, methylnaphthalenes, caproic acid, b enzophenone, 6,7-dimethyl-5,7-octadiene-2-ol, etc.) was detected by the met hod of chromate-mass spectrometry in the oxidation of fullerene by molecula r oxygen containing traces of water at 520 degreesC without a catalyst. Sto ichiometric participation of water in the oxidation of C-60 was described a s oxidative hydration-disproportionation to carbon dioxide and hydrogen(oxy gen)-containing fragmentation products, which occurred in parallel with the main reaction of deep oxidation to CO2. This side process was responsible for the 1/2000th part of the total conversion of fullerene. Under the same conditions but in the presence of catalytic admixtures of NaOH, the rate of oxidation of C-60 increased 2.2 times, and only CO2 was formed.