UNSTABLE PRODUCTS FROM THE OZONATION OF C₆₀ IN SOLVENTS

Abstract

The ozonation of a solution of C₆₀ in toluene results in the formation of several unstable compounds C₆₀X and C₆₀Y[1–5] which decay completely at room temperature within about 1 h. The products are oxides C₆₀O[6,6], C₆₀O₂[I], C₆₀O₂[II], and possibly an isomer of C₆₀O₃. The transformations are not due to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen but are spontaneous. The ozonation of a solution of C₆₀O[6,6] in toluene results in the formation of two unstable compounds C₆₀Z[1–2] which also decay completely to C₆₀O₂[I] and C₆₀O₂[II]. It is suggested that all unstable “parents” are ozonides.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank W.E. Billups and R.J. Parry of the Department of Chemistry of Rice University for the use of their HPLC and ozone equipment.