HYDROGENATION OF FULLERITES IN THE PRESENCE OF INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS OR METALS

Fullerene hydrides containing 24-26 H atoms per fullerene molecule wer e obtained by hydrogenation of solid-phase mixtures of fullerenes with either intermetallic compounds LaNi5, LaNi4.65Mn0.35, CeCo3 or V and Pd metals with gaseous hydrogen at 1.0-2.5 MPa and 573-673 K. These fu llerene hydrides decompose at 800 K with evolution of H-2. Upon subseq uent heating to 1000 K, vanadium reacts with fullerene to yield a cubi c phase of vanadium carbide. The intermetallic compounds react with fu llerene with the formation of a metallic phase of the 3d-metal and des truction of fullerene. Palladium does not react with fullerene.