Non-HPLC rapid separation of metallofullerenes and empty cages with TiCl4 Lewis acid

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Jun 13;134(23):9762-7. doi: 10.1021/ja3030627. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

Rapid and efficient separation/purification of pure metallofullerenes M(x)@C(n) (M = metal; x = 1, 2; n > 70) and carbide metallofullerenes of the type M(y)C(2)@C(n-2) (y = 2, 3, 4; n - 2 > 68) has been reported. The present method utilizes rapid and almost perfect preferential formation of TiCl(4) (generally known as a Lewis acid)-metallofullerene complexes, which easily decompose to provide pure metallofullerene powders by a simple water treatment. The present method enables one to separate the metallofullerenes up to >99% purity within 10 min without using any type of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It is found that the oxidation potentials of the metallofullerenes are crucial factors for efficient purification. The current separation/purification technique may open a brand-new era for inducing further applications and commercialization of endohedral metallofullerenes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Fractionation / methods*
  • Fullerenes / chemistry
  • Fullerenes / isolation & purification*
  • Lewis Acids / chemistry*
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Metals / isolation & purification
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Lewis Acids
  • Metals
  • titanium tetrachloride
  • Titanium