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Purification of C60 and C70 by selective complexation with calixarenes

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Abstract

MOLECULAR complexation of fullerenes in host–guest complexes has the potential to afford efficient large-scale purification of fullerenes1. This method would avoid the losses inherent in the chromatographic techniques currently in use, which arise from irreversible absorption on the stationary phase2. Several host-guest interactions have been reported for C60, including the formation of complexes with 1,4-hydroquinone3,4, azacrown compounds5, certain water-soluble macrocycles such as γ-cyclodextrin6–8, and complexation between C60 and an iridium phosphine in which pendant groups attached to a phosphorus atom form a cradle for an adjacent C60 molecule9. Other relevant studies are the inclusion of C60 into a microporous aluminophosphate10 and the formation of a charge-transfer complex between C60 and a thiafulvalene11. Here we show that both C60 and C70 will form discrete complexes with calixarenes, bowl-shaped macrocycles with hydrophobic cavities. Complexation of p-Bu'-calix[8]arene with a mixture of the toluene extract of 'crude' fullerene soot, followed by a series of recrystallizations, affords >99.5% pure C6. Our approach could lead to a substantial reduction in the cost of purifying C60 and C70.

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  1. Colin L. Raston: To whom correspondence should be addressed

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, USA

    Jerry L Atwood

  2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Australia

    George A. Koutsantonis & Colin L. Raston

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  1. Jerry L Atwood
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  2. George A. Koutsantonis
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  3. Colin L. Raston
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Atwood, J., Koutsantonis, G. & Raston, C. Purification of C60 and C70 by selective complexation with calixarenes. Nature 368, 229–231 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/368229a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/368229a0

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