C120On from C60Br24

Microcrystalline mixture of fullerene dimer oxides (C120On, n = 1, 2, 3,... ) was extracted from decomposed C60Br24 Low-temperature FTIR studies of the product showed the absence of orientational ordering transitions indicatin g freezing of C-60 rotations due to inter-cage bonding and epoxidation. Cha racteristic features due to inter-cage vibrations are seen in the far IR sp ectrum. Bond cleavages in MS/MS leave all the oxygen atoms of the dimer oxi de with one fullerene molecule. We propose that dimers are formed by [3 + 2 ] cycloaddition of C60 With its oxides, C60On rather than cycloaddition of the monomeric oxides. Results are discussed based on the possible reaction sequences. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.