A comparative study of homolytic reactions of fullerenes with aldehydes in a mass spectrometer under electron impact and in solution under UV irradiation.

C(60) was reacted in the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer under electron impact (EI) with aldehydes, RCHO (R = Ph, p-FC(6)H(4), F(5)C(6), p-MeOC(6)H(4), α-thienyl, o-HOC(6)H(4), o-BrC(6)H(4), m-BrC(6)H(4) and t-Bu), with the transfer of R• radicals and with Me•-transfer from i-PrCHO and t-BuCHO. Paramagnetic fullerene derivatives were stabilized by the addition of the next R• radical or a hydrogen atom, or hydrogen or bromine atom loss. A detailed study showed that the reaction between C(60) and PhCHO occurred via a homolytic mechanism that matches one reported earlier for the reaction with acetone. This suggests the generality of the mechanism for the reactions of fullerenes with other species in ionization chambers under EI at ca 300°C. All aldehydes, except one, had radicals at the carbonyl group which were different from those in the ketones examined earlier in the reactions. This expanded the variety of radicals which can be transferred to fullerenes during reactions in ionization chambers under EI. Due to this and the hydrogen atom at the CO group of aldehydes, some reactions occurred that were not found for the ketones: the formation of cyclic products C(60)COC(6)H(4) and C(60)OC(6)H(4) for PhCHO, o-BrC(6)H(4)CHO and o-HOC(6)H(4)CHO, respectively, and HC(60)Ph for o- and m-BrC(6)H(4)CHO. The reaction with α- formylthiophen gives the first example of transferring an aromatic heterocyclic radical to C(60) in an ionization chamber under EI. C(70) reacted with PhCHO, p-FC(6)H(4)CHO and i- PrCHO similarly to C(60). The results for the reactions of C(60) with PhCHO and with i- PrCHO were compared with those in solution under UV irradiation. Incomplete but reasonable coincidence was found; in both modes, the addition of Ph•, PhCO• and Me• radicals to C(60) occurred, whereas some other products were formed in solution, and the explanation is given as to why this occurred. This conformity supports the hypothesis based on the results of kindred reactions with ketones and organomercurials: the results of EI-initiated homolytic reactions between fullerenes and other compounds in an ionization chamber can predict the reactivity of the fullerenes toward them in solution.

Homolytic reactive mass spectrometry of fullerenes: interaction of C60 and C70 with ketones in the electron impact ion source of a mass spectrometer and the comparison of results with those of photochemical reactions of C60 with several ketones in solution.

Our previous investigations showed that homolytic reactions of C(60) with a number of perfluoroorganic and organomercury(II) compounds occurring under electron impact (EI) in the ionization chamber (IC) of a mass spectrometer could predict the reactivity of C(60) towards these compounds in solution or solid state. To expand the scope of this statement, C(60) and C(70) have been reacted with ketones RCOR(1), where R and R(1) are alkyl, aryl, benzyl, and CF(3), in an IC under EI to yield products of the addition of R(·) and R(1)(·) radicals to the fullerenes, paramagnetic ones being stabilized by hydrogen addition and loss. Experimental evidence in support of a mechanism involving homolytic dissociation of ketone molecules via superexcited states to afford these radicals that react with the fullerenes at the IC surface has been obtained. As anticipated, the reactions between C(60) and several ketones conducted in solution under UV irradiation have afforded Me-, Ph-, and CF(3)-derivatives of C(60). However, some other products have been identified by mass spectrometry and their formation is reasonably explained. When decalin has been employed as a solvent, decalinyl derivatives of the fullerene have been found among the products and the (9-decalinyl)fullerenyl radical has been registered by EPR. Thus, incomplete but reasonable conformity of the results of the reactions of fullerenes with ketones in an IC under EI with those of the reactions of the same reagents in solution under UV irradiation has been demonstrated, and the former results can predict the latter ones to a reasonable extent.

Organometallic radical-adducts of fullerenes C60, C70, and single-walled carbon nanotubes derived from (cyclopentadienyl)molybdenumtricarbonyl dimer.

Interaction of the metal-centered free radicals [CpMo(CO)3]* generated photochemically from the corresponding dimer [CpMo(CO)3]2 with fullerenes C60, C70, or single-walled carbon nanotubes in toluene results in the radical-adducts investigated by using TGA, ESR, Raman and X-ray Photo-electron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with the chromium analogues previously studied.

Deactivation processes of the lowest excited state of [UO2(H2O)5]2+ in aqueous solution.

A detailed analysis of the photophysical behaviour of uranyl ion in aqueous solutions at room temperature is given using literature data, together with results of new experimental and theoretical studies to see whether the decay mechanism of the lowest excited state involves physical deactivation by energy transfer or a chemical process through hydrogen atom abstraction. Comparison of the radiative lifetimes determined from quantum yield and lifetime data with that obtained from the Einstein relationship strongly suggests that the emitting state is identical to that observed in the lowest energy absorption band. From study of the experimental rate and that calculated theoretically, from deuterium isotope effects and the activation energy for decay support is given to a deactivation mechanism of hydrogen abstraction involving water clusters to give uranium(v) and hydroxyl radicals. Support for hydroxyl radical formation comes from electron spin resonance spectra observed in the presence of the spin traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and tert-butyl-N-phenylnitrone and from literature results on photoinduced uranyl oxygen exchange and photoconductivity. It has previously been suggested that the uranyl emission above pH 1.5 may involve an exciplex between excited uranyl ion and uranium(v). Evidence against this mechanism is given on the basis of quenching of uranyl luminescence by uranium(v), together with other kinetic reasoning. No overall photochemical reaction is observed on excitation of aqueous uranyl solutions, and it is suggested that this is mainly due to reoxidation of UO2+ by hydroxyl radicals in a radical pair. An alternative process involving oxidation by molecular oxygen is analysed experimentally and theoretically, and is suggested to be too slow to be a major reoxidation pathway.