UNSTABLE PRODUCTS FROM THE OZONATION OF C60 IN SOLVENTS

Abstract

The ozonation of a solution of C60 in toluene results in the formation of several unstable compounds C60X and C60Y[1–5] which decay completely at room temperature within about 1 h. The products are oxides C60O[6,6], C60O2[I], C60O2[II], and possibly an isomer of C60O3. The transformations are not due to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen but are spontaneous. The ozonation of a solution of C60O[6,6] in toluene results in the formation of two unstable compounds C60Z[1–2] which also decay completely to C60O2[I] and C60O2[II]. It is suggested that all unstable “parents” are ozonides.