Process for fullerene functionalization
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsPaul A. Cahill, Craig C. Henderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Di-addended and tetra-addended Buckminster fullerenes are synthesized through the use of novel organoborane intermediates. The C.sub.60, C.sub.70, or higher fullerene is reacted with a borane such as BH.sub.3 in a solvent such as toluene to form an organoborane intermediate. Reaction of the organoborane such as hydrolysis with water or alcohol results in the product di-addended and tetra-addended fullerene in up to 30% yields. Dihydrofullerenes and tetrahydrofullerenes are produced by the process of the invention.
Claims22
A method for preparing a di-addended or tetra-addended fullerene comprising the steps of:
- A) reacting a non-addended or di-addended fullerene reactant with a borane under conditions effective to form an organoborane intermediate compound capable of being hyrolyzed to form a di- or tetra-addended fullerene;
- B) hydrolyzing said organoborane intermediate compound to form said di- or tetra-addended fullerene product mixture;
- and
- C) separating and recovering said di- or tetra-addended fullerene product from said product mixture.
The compound C.sub.X H.sub.Y, where X=60 or 70 and Y=2 or 4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.