Chemistry
Isolation of Large Cage Erbium Metallofullerenes
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Chemistry
Start Date
13-4-2018 2:30 PM
End Date
13-4-2018 4:00 PM
Sponsor
Steven Stevenson (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne)
Description
Erbium nitride clusters (i.e., Er3N) can be entrapped inside the cavity of fullerene cages. Of this family (e.g., Er3N@C2n) of compounds, Er3N@C80 is the dominant species. However, there is a paucity of literature on these clusters with larger cages (e.g., Er3N@C84, Er3N@C88, Er3N@C92). To achieve isolation of these higher cage metallofullerenes, we have developed a new 3-step purification method. In step 1, we introduce aminopropanol to selectively attack and remove fullerene contaminants from dissolved soot extract. After addition of this water-soluble, electron-rich amine, a much simpler mixture of fullerenes and metallofullerenes remains. In step 2, further selectivity is achieved via complexation/decomplexation with a Lewis acid (e.g., ZnCl2, MgCl2). In step 3, HPLC fraction collection readily provides a purified sample. In this poster presentation, we will discuss the findings for each of these purification stages.
Isolation of Large Cage Erbium Metallofullerenes
Indianapolis, IN
Erbium nitride clusters (i.e., Er3N) can be entrapped inside the cavity of fullerene cages. Of this family (e.g., Er3N@C2n) of compounds, Er3N@C80 is the dominant species. However, there is a paucity of literature on these clusters with larger cages (e.g., Er3N@C84, Er3N@C88, Er3N@C92). To achieve isolation of these higher cage metallofullerenes, we have developed a new 3-step purification method. In step 1, we introduce aminopropanol to selectively attack and remove fullerene contaminants from dissolved soot extract. After addition of this water-soluble, electron-rich amine, a much simpler mixture of fullerenes and metallofullerenes remains. In step 2, further selectivity is achieved via complexation/decomplexation with a Lewis acid (e.g., ZnCl2, MgCl2). In step 3, HPLC fraction collection readily provides a purified sample. In this poster presentation, we will discuss the findings for each of these purification stages.