Synthesis and explosive decomposition of polynitro[60]fullerene

Prolonged treatment of C-60 in benzene with very high concentrations of N2O4 leads to a new polynitro[60]fullerene whose composition was determined as C-60(NO2)(14) by thermogravimetric analysis. The compound is unstable and deflagrates above 170 degrees C when heated under nitrogen or in air with the release of a considerable amount of heat as observed by the differential thermal analysis and as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The decomposition steps of C-60(NO2)(14) were followed by the thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analytical technique. At the deflagration point C-60(NO2)(14) releases a mixture of nitrogen oxides: NO2 and NO with minor amounts of N2O. The deflagration leaves a residue of oxidized carbon which by heating releases CO2 and CO and at 700 degrees C is reduced to a carbonaceous matter free from residual oxygenated groups showing also the presence of small amounts (<= 10%) of C-60 fullerene. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.