The kinetics of the reaction of C60 and C70 fullerenes with sodium metal in toluene solution

The kinetics of the reaction of C60 and C70 with metallic sodium in toluene solution at room temperature has been studied. The initial stage of reaction gives the fullerene monoanion, and the ratio of the reaction rate constants k(C70)/k(C60) = 2.5 ± 0.1. This ration does not depend on the relative fullerene concentrations and absolute reaction rates, the latter being sensitive to the condition of the metal surface and so varies in an irregular manner. The possibility of using the difference in the reaction rate constants for the development of a fullerene separation and purification technology is discussed.