Preparation and characterisation of C119

Thermolysis of C120O at 550–600°C yielded a soluble product fraction containing C60, C119 and higher-mass species. Using a two-step HPLC procedure two species, both with molecular weight corresponding to C119, were isolated in 3.5% and 2% yield. The 125.76 MHz 13C-NMR spectrum of the latter more stable product obtained from 13C enriched samples proved that this species consists of two C58 cages bridged by three sp3 carbons, two of which are equivalent. NMR-consistent C119 structures have been investigated by molecular modeling and turned out to exhibit C2 symmetry.