Taming Superacids: Stabilization of the Fullerene Cations HC60+ and C60·+
Christopher A. Reed,
*
Kee-Chan Kim,
Robert D. Bolskar,
Leonard J. Mueller
A new superacid,
H(CB11H6X6) (where X = chlorine or bromine), whose conjugate base is the exceptionally inert
CB11H6X6- carborane
anion, separates Brønsted acidity from oxidizing capacity and anion
nucleophilicity in a manner not previously achieved. Reaction of this
superacid with C60 gives HC60+ as a
stable ion in solution and in the solid state. In a separate experiment, an oxidant was developed such that the long-sought C60·+ ion can be synthesized in solution. The
preparation of these two fullerene carbocations is a notable departure
from the prevalent chemistry of C60, which is dominated by
the formation of anions or the addition of nucleophiles. The
H(CB11H6X6) superacid overcomes the
major limitations of presently known superacids and has potentially wide application.
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA
92521-0403, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
chris.reed{at}ucr.edu
