Poly(perfluoroalkylation) of metallic nitride fullerenes reveals addition-pattern guidelines: synthesis and characterization of a family of Sc3N@C80(CF3)n (n = 2-16) and their radical anions.

A family of highly stable (poly)perfluoroalkylated metallic nitride cluster fullerenes was prepared in high-temperature reactions and characterized by spectroscopic (MS, (19)F NMR, UV-vis/NIR, ESR), structural and electrochemical methods. For two new compounds, Sc(3)N@C(80)(CF(3))(10) and Sc(3)N@C(80)(CF(3))(12,) single crystal X-ray structures are determined. Addition pattern guidelines for endohedral fullerene derivatives with bulky functional groups are formulated as a result of experimental ((19)F NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction) studies and exhaustive quantum chemical calculations of the structures of Sc(3)N@C(80)(CF(3))(n) (n = 2-16). Electrochemical studies revealed that Sc(3)N@C(80)(CF(3))(n) derivatives are easier to reduce than Sc(3)N@C(80), the shift of E(1/2) potentials ranging from +0.11 V (n = 2) to +0.42 V (n = 10). Stable radical anions of Sc(3)N@C(80)(CF(3))(n) were generated in solution and characterized by ESR spectroscopy, revealing their (45)Sc hyperfine structure. Facile further functionalizations via cycloadditions or radical additions were achieved for trifluoromethylated Sc(3)N@C(80) making them attractive versatile platforms for the design of molecular and supramolecular materials of fundamental and practical importance.

A seven atom cluster in a carbon cage, the crystallographically determined structure of Sc4(mu3-O)3@Ih-C80.

The tetrahedral array of four scandium atoms with oxygen atoms capping three of the four faces found in Sc(4)(mu(3)-O)(3)@I(h)-C(80) is the largest cluster isolated to date inside a fullerene cage.

Preferential encapsulation and stability of La(3)N cluster in 80 atom cages: experimental synthesis and computational investigation of La(3)N@C(79)N.

We report the synthesis and electronic stabilization of La(3)N@C(79)N. Unsuccessful efforts to encapsulate bulky La(3)N clusters in small C(80) cages have been attributed to large ionic radii. The preferred species for La(3)N clusters in all-carbon cages is La(3)N@C(96). A surprising finding is the synthesis of La(3)N@C(79)N, a new metallofullerene present in higher abundance than La(3)N@C(96). This reduction in cage size from 96 to 80 atoms reflects the significance and role of electronic effects. To understand the geometric and electronic properties of this first metallic nitride azafullerene (M(3)N@C(79)N, M = La), density functional theory (DFT) investigations were performed on a number of isomers. Results indicate a preferred N-substitution at the 665 junction site on the cage in lieu of a 666 substitution. The relative stabilities of different isomers can be well reproduced by using the minimum distance between the metal atom and the nitrogen atom of the cage (R(N'M)(min)). Long R(N'M)(min) values indicate distant contacts between six atoms that bear significantly large positive charges: the three metal atoms and the three carbon atoms bonded with the nitrogen atom in the cage, which are favored. These results suggest a dominant electronic effect on the stabilities of metalloazafullerenes. Interestingly, spin densities of the 665 substitution isomers of La(3)N@C(79)N are located predominantly in the metal cluster, while spin densities of the 666 substitution isomers are primarily on the cage.

Sc3N@(C80-Ih7)(CF3)14 and Sc3N@(C80-Ih(7))(CF3)16. Endohedral metallofullerene derivatives with exohedral addends on four and eight triple-hexagon junctions. Does the Sc3N cluster control the addition pattern or vice versa?

The compounds Sc(3)N@(C(80)-I(h)(7))(CF(3))(14) (1) and Sc(3)N@(C(80)-I(h)(7))(CF(3))(16) (2) were prepared by heating Sc(3)N@C(80)-I(h)(7) and Ag(CF(3)CO(2)) to 350 degrees C in a sealed tube. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They are the first X-ray structures of any endohedral metallofullerene with more than four cage C(sp(3)) atoms. The structures exhibit several unprecedented features for metallic nitride fullerenes, including multiple cage sp(3) triple-hexagon junctions (four on 1 and eight on 2), no cage disorder and little (2) or no (1) endohedral atom disorder, high-precision (C-C esd's are 0.005 A for 1 and 0.002 A for 2), an isolated aromatic C(sp(2))(6) hexagon on 2, and two negatively charged isolated aromatic C(sp(2))(5)(-) pentagons on 2 that are bonded to one of the Sc atoms. DFT calculations are in excellent agreement with the two Sc(3)N conformations observed for 2 (DeltaE(calc) = 0.36 kJ mol(-1); DeltaE(exp) = 0.26(2) kJ mol(-1)).

Evidence for singlet-oxygen generation and biocidal activity in photoresponsive metallic nitride fullerene-polymer adhesive films.

The adhesive properties, as measured by bulk tack analysis, are found to decrease in blends of isomerically pure Sc3N@I(h)-C80 metallic nitride fullerene (MNF) and polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) copolymer pressure-sensitive adhesive under white light irradiation in air. The reduction of tack is attributed to the in situ generation of 1O2 and subsequent photooxidative cross-linking of the adhesive film. Comparisons are drawn to classical fullerenes C60 and C70 for this process. This work represents the first demonstration of 1O2 generating ability in the general class of MNFs (M3N@C80). Additional support is provided for the sensitizing ability of Sc3N@I(h)-C80 through the successful photooxygenation of 2-methyl-2-butene to its allylic hydroperoxides in benzene-d(6) under irradiation at 420 nm, a process that occurs at a rate comparable to that of C(60). Photooxygenation of 2-methyl-2-butene is found to be influenced by the fullerene sensitizer concentration and O2 flow rate. Molar extinction coefficients are reported for Sc3N@I(h)-C80 at 420 and 536 nm. Evaluation of the potential antimicrobial activity of films prepared in this study stemming from the in situ generation of 1O2 led to an observed 1 log kill for select Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Reducing hazardous material and environmental impact through recycling of scandium nanomaterial waste.

The emerging use of scandium and the environmental impact from scandium-containing waste is a rising environmental and health concern. With the development of new materials in the last decade, toxicological studies on those new materials have also been increasing. An example of a process which employs scandium is the generation of metallic nitride fullerene nanomaterials. This process typically generates 99+% scandium waste, as only small amounts of scandium are actually incorporated into the target fullerene molecules. We demonstrate a safe method to recover the scandium content in the waste, reuse the recovered material and successfully demonstrate a comparable product distribution without detectable health and environmental concerns.

Chemically adjusting plasma temperature, energy, and reactivity (CAPTEAR) method using NOx and combustion for selective synthesis of Sc3N@C80 metallic nitride fullerenes.

Goals are (1) to selectively synthesize metallic nitride fullerenes (MNFs) in lieu of empty-cage fullerenes (e.g., C60, C70) without compromising MNF yield and (2) to test our hypothesis that MNFs possess a different set of optimal formation parameters than empty-cage fullerenes. In this work, we introduce a novel approach for the selective synthesis of metallic nitride fullerenes. This new method is "Chemically Adjusting Plasma Temperature, Energy, and Reactivity" (CAPTEAR). The CAPTEAR approach with copper nitrate hydrate uses NOx vapor from NOx generating solid reagents, air, and combustion to "tune" the temperature, energy, and reactivity of the plasma environment. The extent of temperature, energy, and reactive environment is stoichiometrically varied until optimal conditions for selective MNF synthesis are achieved. Analysis of soot extracts indicate that percentages of C60 and Sc3N@C80 are inversely related, whereas the percentages of C70 and higher empty-cage C2n fullerenes are largely unaffected. Hence, there may be a "competitive link" in the formation and mechanism of C60 and Sc3N@C80. Using this CAPTEAR method, purified MNFs (96% Sc3N@C80, 12 mg) have been obtained in soot extracts without a significant penalty in milligram yield when compared to control soot extracts (4% Sc3N@C80, 13 mg of Sc3N@C80). The CAPTEAR process with Cu(NO3)2.2.5H2O uses an exothermic nitrate moiety to suppress empty-cage fullerene formation, whereas Cu functions as a catalyst additive to offset the reactive plasma environment and boost the Sc3N@C80 MNF production.

Effect of copper metal on the yield of Sc3N@C80 metallofullerenes.

The yield of Sc3N@C80 metallofullerene and fullerene extract is dramatically increased via filling cored graphite rods with copper and Sc2O3 only; when compared to 100% Sc2O3 packed rods, improvements of factors of approximately 3 and approximately 5 have been achieved for Sc3N@C80 and fullerene extract produced, respectively, with the weight percent of Cu added to the rod affecting the type and amount of fullerene produced.

Nonchromatographic "stir and filter approach" (SAFA) for isolating Sc3N@C80 metallofullerenes.

Separation difficulties have led to a paucity of purified metallic nitride fullerenes (MNFs). Fundamental research and application development has been hampered with limited sample availability. Separation techniques designed to remove contaminant empty-cage fullerenes (e.g., C(60), C(70)...C(2)(n)) and classical metallofullerenes (e.g., non-MNFs) traditionally require expensive and tedious chromatographic methods. Our motivation is an alternative purification approach to minimize dependence on HPLC. Herein we report the use of cyclopentadienyl (CPD) and amino functionalized silica to selectively bind contaminant fullerenes. This "Stir and Filter Approach" (SAFA) provides purified MNF samples at ambient and reflux conditions. Under reflux conditions, purified MNFs (80% recovery, 41 h) are obtained using CPD silica. However, at room temperature, there is an equilibrium established between fullerenes and CPD silica, and no purified MNF samples are obtained using SAFA. In contrast, purified MNF samples (99+%) are readily obtained at room temperature using amino, diamino, and triamino silica at recoveries of 93% (11 h), 76% (9 h), and 50% (6 h), respectively.