SYNTHESIS OF DERIVATIZED FULLERENES WITH SUPERACID CATALYSTS

摘要

This invention relates to novel compositions of matter, certain derivatized fullerenes, and the process of making them. The derivatized fullerenes of the present invention contain substituent groups in even numbers and are produced by contacting the fullerenes with an oxidizing agent, such as a strong acid or superacid, then adding a suitable nucleophilic quenching agent such as an alcohol, thiol or aromatic that contains the substituent group to be added. Terminal 1,y-difulleroxyalkanes result from trapping with terminal 1,y-diols where y is the number of carbon atoms in the diol. Odd numbered derivatized fullerenes are produced by heating the even number derivatized fullerenes thus produced. The compositions may be used as crosslinking agents in polymers, core building blocks for star polymers, and stiffening agents in polymers and polymer blends.