RADICAL ADDUCTS OF FULLERENES C-60 AND C-70 STUDIED BY LASER FLASH-PHOTOLYSIS AND PULSE-RADIOLYSIS

The reaction of organic radicals (R. = benzyl, tert-butyl, trichloromethyl, dichloromethyl) with C60 and C70 has been investigated using laser flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis techniques. The alkyl radicals are very reactive toward fullerenes and form radical adducts, (RC60). and (RC70).. The difference absorption spectrum of (RC60). exhibits broad absorption in the visible, while that of (RC70). exhibits bleaching of absorption in the region 440-560 nm. The rate constants for the reaction of these radicals with fullerenes are in the range of 10(8) M-1 s-1 for dichloromethyl to diffusion controlled for tert-butyl radicals.