Author: ["Shinobu Aoyagi","Eiji Nishibori","Hiroshi Sawa","Kunihisa Sugimoto","Masaki Takata","Yasumitsu Miyata","Ryo Kitaura","Hisanori Shinohara","Hiroshi Okada","Takeshi Sakai","Yoshihiro Ono","Kazuhiko Kawachi","Kuniyoshi Yokoo","Shoichi Ono","Kenji Omote","Yasuhiko Kasama","Shinsuke Ishikawa","Takashi Komuro","Hiromi Tobita"]
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Abstract
If the physical properties of C60 fullerene molecules can be controlled in C60 products already in use in various applications, the potential for industrial development will be significant. Encapsulation of a metal atom in the C60 fullerene molecule is a promising way to control its physical properties. However, the isolation of C60-based metallofullerenes has been difficult due to their insolubility. Here, we report the complete isolation and determination of the molecular and crystal structure of polar cationic Li@C60 metallofullerene. The physical and chemical properties of Li@C60 cation are compared with those of pristine C60. It is found that the lithium cation is located at off-centre positions in the C60–Ih cage interior and that the [Li+@C60] salt has a unique two-dimensional structure. The present method of purification and crystallization of C60-based metallofullerenes provides a new C60 fullerene material that contains a metal atom. Metal-containing fullerene cages are widely known, but hard to characterize because of their reactivity towards empty cages. Now the molecular and crystal structures of lithium-containing C60 molecules have been determined. Cite this article
Aoyagi, S., Nishibori, E., Sawa, H. et al. A layered ionic crystal of polar Li@C60 superatoms. Nature Chem 2, 678–683 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.698 