Novel method of synthesis of C60F48 with improved yield and selectivity

A novel two-stage method of preparation of C60F48 with 96% purity and 80% yield is reported. A C60 embedded into a MnF2 matrix is reacted with molecular fluorine under dynamic conditions, i.e. in flow of fluorine gas and with sublimation of volatile products, which results in formation of C60F34–C60F38 mixtures with >90% yield. Subsequent fluorination of the mixture thus obtained in the closed reactor at elevated pressure directly leads to the final product. C60F48 thus synthesized has been characterized by means of EI–MS, MALDI-MS, IR-spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The problems of fullerene burning and degradation in the fluorine atmosphere are discussed.