Single-photon photolysis of C-60, C-70, C-76, and C-84 in solutions

The quantum yields of photolysis (Phi (p)) of C-60, C-70, C-76 and C-84 dis solved in tetrachloroethylene, and irradiated by visible cw Ar+ laser radia tion were determined and compared. We found that Phi (p)(C-60) > Phi (p)(C- 70) > Phi (p)(C-70) > Phi (p)(C84). The high photostability of C-84 under t he given irradiation conditions is discussed in terms of the particular phy sical and chemical properties of this fullerene cage. The quantum yields of singlet oxygen production (Phi (Delta)) photosensitized by C-70, C-76 and C-84 were determined. Their values are correlated with the observed photode composition yields. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.