Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.110, No.27, 13322-13325, 2006
C-80 encaging four different atoms: The synthesis, isolation, and characterizations of ScYErN@C-80
The synthesis, isolation, and spectroscopic characterizations of an endohedral fullerene with four heteroatoms encapsulated (ScYErN@C-80) are reported for the first time. The isomeric structure and electronic properties of this molecule are studied by various spectrometry methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), laser desorption time-of-flight (LD-TOF) mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and visible-near infrared (vis-NIR) absorption spectroscopy. The carbon cage of ScYErN@C-80 is assigned as I-h-C-80, and the four-membered ScYErN cluster is suggested to rotate rapidly inside the fullerene cage. Six electrons are transferred from the nuclear cluster ScYErN to the fullerene cage, which leads to a closed-shell electronic structure of the I-h-C-80 and results in excellent stability of this molecule.