Theoretical study on the mono and multiply oxygenated Si₆₀H₆₀ fullerene

ABSTRACT

We have applied density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the structures, stabilities, electronic and magnetic properties of mono and multiply oxygenated Si₆₀H₆₀ fullerenes (Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n, n = 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 18, 20, 21, 27 and 30). DFT results show that rearrangement between the closed [6,6] and [5,6] isomers of Si₆₀H₅₈O follows a two-step pathway involving an intermediate and two transition states. Preserving the C₃ symmetry in the cage structure, extra epoxidation of Si₆₀H₆₀ has been accomplished. Based on our results, formation energies per oxygen atom for the multiple additions of oxygen atoms on Si₆₀H₆₀ cage are positive (endothermic character), and increase with the increasing of the number of oxygen atoms. In general, the oxygenation of Si₆₀H₆₀ cage leads to an increase in the electrophilicity of the Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n oxides. The oxygenation of Si–Si bonds not only introduces a substantial broadening of the NMR pattern but also yield individual peaks, indicating different electrostatic environments of silicon nuclei in the Si₆₀H_60–2nO_n oxides.

KEYWORDS:

• Silicon fullerene
• oxygenated fullerene
• electrophilicity
• NMR pattern
• DFT

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Professor Seik Weng Ng for making us available his software (G98W) and hardware (machine time) facilities. The financial support of Research Council of Shahid Beheshti University is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.