Generation and characterization of C60(CN)2n−(n=1,2,3)

The mono-anion, di-anion and tri-anion of dicyanodihydrofullerene [C60(CN)2] have been generated and monitored with a thin-layer spectro-electrochemical cell. The characteristic NIR absorption bands are found to be at 1019, 875 as well as at 744, and 691 nm for C60(CN)2−, C60(CN)22− and C60(CN)23−, respectively. Density functional theory calculations indicate that these anions exhibit no Jahn–Teller effect and possess charge distributions and shape distortions that are different from C60n−(n=1,2,3) upon negative charge addition.