Preparation of networks with C60 knots using anionic polymers.

Two methods to prepare controlled three dimensional structures including Cso molecules as knots are described. For the first network synthesis, THF soluble C602−(K+)2 is reacted with a “living” polystyrene bearing a carbanion at each end. The use of the fullerene dianion is necessary to avoid complications originating from electron transfer from the carbanions to C60. The second method, developed to increase the functionality of the knots, consists of reacting C60 with high functionality polystyrene stars where each branch bears at its end a carbanion. The properties of these networks based on cm, compare well with classical PS gels.