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Hydrocarbon-soluble, hexaanionic fulleride complexes of magnesium
Samuel R Lawrence1, C André Ohlin2, David B Cordes1
1EaStCHEM School of Chemistry , University of St Andrews , North Haugh , St Andrews , KY16 9ST , UK .
Chemical Science
|February 15, 2020
Summary
Magnesium(I) complexes react with fullerene C60 to form soluble fulleride complexes. These complexes feature the C60 hexaanion, demonstrating the reducing power of magnesium(I) compounds.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Fullerene Chemistry
Background:
- Fullerenes, particularly C60, are versatile carbon allotropes with unique electronic properties.
- Metal-fullerene interactions are crucial for developing novel materials and catalysts.
- Magnesium(I) complexes offer unique reactivity due to their low oxidation state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction of magnesium(I) complexes with fullerene C60.
- To characterize the resulting fulleride complexes and elucidate their structural and electronic properties.
- To assess the reducing capabilities of magnesium(I) complexes towards C60.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of hydrocarbon-soluble fulleride complexes using magnesium(I) precursors and C60.
- 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy for structural and electronic characterization.
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for theoretical validation.
Main Results:
- Formation of fulleride complexes [{(Ar)nacnac}Mg]nC60 with n=6, 4, and 2.
- Structural characterization reveals inverse coordination complexes with predominantly ionic interactions.
- Successful isolation and characterization of the C60 hexaanion (C60 6-) complexes.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium(I) complexes effectively reduce fullerene C60 to form stable fulleride anions.
- The resulting complexes exhibit flexible ionic bonding and unique electronic structures.
- This study highlights the significant reducing strength of dimagnesium(I) complexes.
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