1
|
Wu Y, Zhou Z, Xu D, Jiang Y, Zhou D, Wang Z. Dual Stabilization of a Tri-Metallofullerene Radical Er 3@C 80: Exohedral Derivatization and Endohedral Three-Center Bonding. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300912. [PMID: 38369921 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The enclosed space within fullerene molecules, capable of trapping metal clusters, offers an opportunity to investigate the behavior of metal atoms in a highly confined sub-nanometer environment. However, the studies on trimetallofullerenes M3@C80 have been very limited due to their difficult obtainability. In this paper, we present a new method for obtaining a tri-metallofullerene Er3@C80 through exohedral modification of the fullerene cage. Our findings reveal that Er3@C80 exhibits a radical character and can react with the dichlorobenzene radical to generate a stable derivative Er3@C80PhCl2. Theoretical calculations demonstrate the presence of a three-center two-electron metal-metal bond in the center of the fullerene cage. This bond serves to counterbalance the Coulomb repulsion between the Er ions. Consequently, both exohedral derivatization and endohedral three-center bonding contribute to the substantial stability of Er3@C80PhCl2. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the Er3 cluster within the molecule possesses a rigid triangle structure. The availability of M3@C80 derivatives opens avenues for future investigations into interactions among metal atoms, such as magnetic coupling, within fullerene cages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yabei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Zhonghao Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian, 116028, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Yuhang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Dingyi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhao Y, Guo Y, Zhao Y, Yu X, Cherenda N, Su Y, Zhao J. Two-dimensional fullerene-based monolayer materials assembled by C 80 and Sc 3N@C 80. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:10841-10849. [PMID: 38525530 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04028c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Construction of two-dimensional (2D) materials using fullerenes as building blocks has attracted particular attention, primarily due to their ability to integrate desired functionalities into devices. However, realization of stable 2D phases of polymerized fullerenes remains a big challenge. Here, we propose two stable 2D monolayer phases with covalently bridged C80 cages, namely α-C80-2D and β-C80-2D, which are semiconductors with strong absorption in the long wave range and appreciable carrier mobility, respectively. The high stability originates from the bond energy released by the [2+2] cycloaddition polymerization of C80 is greater than the deformation energy of a cage. Starting from α-C80-2D, endohedral incorporation of the Sc3N molecule into each C80 cage leads to 2D semiconductors of α-Sc3N@C80-2D and α'-Sc3N@C80-2D, which possess exceptional stability and diverse physical properties, including unique electronic band structures, strong optical absorption in the visible (VIS) to near-infrared (NIR) regime, and anisotropic optical characteristics. Remarkably, a temperature-induced order-disorder transition in the α-Sc3N@C80-2D phase has been observed at elevated temperatures above 600 K. These findings expand the family of 2D carbon materials and provide useful clue for the potential applications of fullerene-assembled monolayer networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Yu Guo
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Yanyan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Xueke Yu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Nikolai Cherenda
- Physics Faculty, Belarusian State University, Minsk 220030, The Republic of Belarus
| | - Yan Su
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Jijun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Materials Modification by Laser, Ion and Electron Beams (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, Dalian 116024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu Y, Zhou Z, Wang Z. Stability and Electronic Properties of Mixed Rare-Earth Tri-Metallofullerenes YxDy 3-x@C 80 (x = 1 or 2). Molecules 2024; 29:447. [PMID: 38257360 PMCID: PMC11154314 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Tri-metallofullerenes, specifically M3@C80 where M denotes rare-earth metal elements, are molecules that possess intriguing magnetic properties. Typically, only one metal element is involved in a given tri-metallofullerene molecule. However, mixed tri-metallofullerenes, denoted as M1xM23-x@C80 (x = 1 or 2, M1 and M2 denote different metal elements), have not been previously discovered. The investigation of such mixed tri-metallofullerenes is of interest due to the potential introduction of distinct properties resulting from the interaction between different metal atoms. This paper presents the preparation and theoretical analysis of mixed rare-earth tri-metallofullerenes, specifically YxDy3-x@C80 (x = 1 or 2). Through chemical oxidation of the arc-discharge produced soot, the formation of tri-metallofullerene cations, namely Y2Dy@C80+ and YDy2@C80+, has been observed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have revealed that the tri-metallofullerenes YxDy3-x@C80 (x = 1 or 2) exhibit a low oxidation potential, significantly lower than other fullerenes such as C60 and C70. This low oxidation potential can be attributed to the relatively high energy level of a singly occupied orbital. Additionally, the oxidized species demonstrate a large HOMO-LUMO gap similar to that of YxDy3-xN@C80, underscoring their high chemical stability. Theoretical investigations have uncovered the presence of a three-center two-electron metal-metal bond at the center of Y2DY@C80+ and YDy2@C80+. This unique multi-center bond assists in alleviating the electrostatic repulsion between the metal ions, thereby contributing to the overall stability of the cations. These mixed rare-earth tri-metallofullerenes hold promise as potential candidates for single-molecule magnets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yabei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China;
| | - Zhonghao Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian 116028, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Light Conversion Materials and Biophotonics, Department of Chemistry, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li B, Lou L, Jin P. Locating the hydrogen atoms in endohedral clusterfullerenes by density functional theory. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:2451-2461. [PMID: 36601732 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05050a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is a unique type of endohedral clusterfullerene containing a hydrogen atom inside the carbon cage (hydrogen-containing clusterfullerenes, HCFs). Unfortunately, the precise positions of the H atoms cannot be determined by powerful single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and thus, the reported internal cluster structures of HCFs are ambiguous. In this study, HCFs were investigated using density functional theory calculations. Various internal cluster structures were obtained for Sc4CNH@Ih(7)-C80 and then carefully inspected to summarize all the favorable H locations in the HCFs. Encouragingly, following these structural characteristics, a new Sc4C2H@Ih(7)-C80 isomer with a μ3-H coordination to three Sc atoms was found to be 12.6 kcal mol-1 more stable than a previously reported isomer. It also holds a much larger SOMO-LUMO gap energy (3.57 vs. 2.36 eV). Its increased stability was further understood by the formation of multicenter bonds (three-center one-electron, three-center two-electron, and even four-center two-electron bonds) and electron density topology analyses. The changed H position may lead to rather different electronic structures, bonding states, and relative stability, indicating its critical role in HCFs. The simulated infrared and Raman spectra based on the new structure also agree fairly well with the experimental observations. Our work not only successfully locates the unpredictable H atom inside HCFs but also demonstrates a practical strategy to quickly determine the internal cluster configurations for more complex clusterfullerenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Lei Lou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Peng Jin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jiang Y, Li Z, Wu Y, Wang Z. Ln3@C80+ (Ln = lanthanide): a new class of stable metallofullerene cations with multicenter metal-metal bonding in sub-nanometer confined space. Inorg Chem Front 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2qi00051b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Among the large number of members in the metallofullerene family, the nitride clusterfullerene M3N@C80 (M = trivalent metal) is a special one with unordinary high stability. It is generally thought...
Collapse
|
6
|
Li W, Wang C, Wang T. Molecular structures and magnetic properties of endohedral metallofullerenes. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:10317-10326. [PMID: 34542549 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04218a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Endohedral metallofullerenes have fascinating core-shell structures, with metal atoms or metal clusters encaged in fullerene cages, and they display various chemical, optical and magnetic properties derived from different types of fullerene cages and metal moieties. Fullerene cages can act as carriers to stabilize unusual cluster moieties. Many bizarre species that are hard to produce via synthetic methods survive well under the protection of a fullerene cage, making metallofullerenes ideal platforms for generating new clusters and bonds. Fullerene cages can also be carriers to hold active unpaired electrons. Some metallofullerenes possess electron spin and show intriguing magnetic properties, making them applicable for use in quantum computing, high density information storage and magnetoreception systems. The exploration of new metallofullerenes is still ongoing, while function-oriented studies are also promoted for the future application of metallofullerenes. Herein, we highlight the recent progress in the synthesis, electron spin characteristics and magnetic properties of metallofullerenes. Discussions and an outlook on the future development of metallofullerenes are also stated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing 100190, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chunru Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Taishan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing 100190, China.
| |
Collapse
|