Formation of C60 by reduction of CO2

C60 was synthesized by reducing CO2 with metallic lithium at 700 °C, ca. 100 MPa. The formation of C60 was confirmed by MALDI-TOF-MS, high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The same reaction generated a mixture of C60(CH2)n (n = 1–8) at 720 °C. Combined with the analysis of reaction conditions, it is suggested that CO2− radical anion or other single carbon radicals from the reduction of CO2 might be the key intermediate. Moreover, the reaction of MgCO3 with Li at 700 °C also generated C60.