FLUORINATED FULLERENES - SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, AND PROPERTIES

Solid C60 reacts with low-pressure fluorine at 300 K, yielding yellow-to-white solids which are air-stable for long periods, with average compositions in the range C60F35-44. Mass spectrometry reveals broad distributions of F/C ratios, with only trace amounts of perfluorofullerene C60F60. Infrared and other data indicate the presence of C-F bonds, from which we deduce a ''fuzzyball'' structure with fluorines externally attached to the fullerene skeleton. Most of the material sublimes in vacuum at 300-degrees-C; molecules with F/C ratios > 48 probably decompose. The sublimed product is highly crystalline; X-ray analysis yields an average C-F bond length 1.49 angstrom. Thin films may be prepared by sublimation or spin-coating from solution. Contact angle measurements using water droplets suggest potentially interesting lubricating properties.