Controlling fullerene addition sequences, regioselectivity and magic numbers via metal encapsulation

Methodological Investigation for Hydrogen Addition to Small Cage Carbon Fullerenes

Hydrogenated small fullerenes (Cn, n < 60) are of interest as potential astrochemical species, and as intermediates in hydrogen-catalysed fullerene growth. However, the computational identification of key stable species is difficult due to the vast configurationally space of structures. In this study, we explored routes to predict stable hydrogenated small fullerenes. We showed that neither local fullerene geometry nor local electronic structure analysis was able to correctly predict subsequent low-energy hydrogenation sites, and sequential stable addition searches also sometimes failed to identify most stable hydrogenated fullerene isomers. Of the empirical and semi-empirical methods tested, GFN2-xTB consistently gave highly accurate energy correlations (r > 0.99) to full DFT-LDA calculations at a fraction of the computational cost. This allowed identification of the most stable hydrogenated fullerenes up to 4H for four fullerenes, namely two isomers of C28 and C40, via “brute force” systematic testing of all symmetry-inequivalent combinations. The approach shows promise for wider systematic studies of smaller hydrogenated fullerenes.

Determining addition pathways and stable isomers for CF3 functionalization of endohedral Gd@C60

Using density functional theory approaches, we follow the sequential addition of CF3 functional groups to the surface of the metallic endofullerene species Gd@C60. The presence of gadolinium in the interior of the cage strongly influences the addition sequence. The calculations are able to successfully identify end points in the addition sequence at Gd@C60(CF3) n , n = 3 and two isomers at n = 5, in predictive agreement with experiment. Inverting the algorithm to determine the most labile groups also identifies the correct positively charged Gd@ C 60 ( C F 3 ) 4 + isomer, as confirmed by experimental mass spectra. The importance of surface mobility, notably at later stage addition, is discussed.

Polarizability as a landmark property for fullerene chemistry and materials science

The review summarizes data on dipole polarizability of fullerenes and their derivatives, covering the most widespread classes of fullerene-containing molecules (fullerenes, fullerene exohedral derivatives, fullerene dimers, endofullerenes, fullerene ions, and derivatives with ionic bonds).