Preparation, Separation, Characterization and Hydrogenation of Endohedral Metallofullerenes

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have attracted increasing attention during past decades due to their novel structures and potential applications in a variety of fields such as biomedical applications and molecular electronics. This dissertation addresses the structural characterization and hydrogenation of EMFs. A family of novel large cage yttrium-based TNT EMFs Y₃N@C₂ₙ (n=40-44) was prepared, separated, and structurally characterized for the first time. The structure of Y₃N@C₂ₙ (n=40-44) is proposed by the experimental and computational ¹³C NMR studies. The first ⁸⁹Y NMR results for Y₃N@<I>Iₕ</i>-C₈₀, Y₃N@<I>Cₛ</i>-C₈₄ and Y₃N@<I>D₃</i>-C₈₆ reveal a progression from isotropic to restricted (Y₃N)⁶⁺</sup> cluster motional processes. The di-metallic EMF Y₂C₉₄ is distinguished as a metal-carbide based EMF, Y₂C₂@<I>D₃</i>-C₉₂. The carbide within the cage is successfully detected by ¹³C NMR. The scalar J_Y-C coupling between the yttrium atoms and the C₂ unit within the C₉₂ cage is successfully observed, suggesting the C₂ unit rotates rapidly around the yttrium atoms. Two paramagnetic endohedral metalloheterofullerenes, Y₂@C₇₉N and Gd₂@C₇₉N, were also synthesized and characterized. The EPR study demonstrated that the spin density is mainly localized between the two metallic ions. A spin-site exchange system could be constructed between Y₂@C₇₉N and the organic donor TMPD. Being a unique paramagnetic material, Gd₂@C₇₉N displays an unusual stability over a wide temperature range, which could be very useful in optical and magnetic areas. Functionalization of EMFs is another point of interest in this dissertation. Hydrogenated Sc₃N@C₈₀ was synthesized and characterized. Our study demonstrated that the Sc₃N@C₈₀ can be fully hydrogenated and the pristine Sc₃N@C₈₀ can be recovered from Sc₃N@C₈₀H₈₀ after being heated in vacuum. The hydrogenated EMFs could be potential hydrogen storage materials.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Department dc:contributor.department

Chemistry

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Fu, Wujun

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Dorn, Harry C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Gibson, Harry W.
• Heflin, James R.
• Ritter, Alfred L.
• Morris, John R.

• Metal-carbide
• Metalloheterofullerene
• Metallofullerene
• Hydrogenation
• Endohedral
• Yttrium-based
• Di-metallic

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Dc Identifier Other

etd-12172009-162249

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/77994