Synthesis, extraction, and chromatographic purification of higher empty fullerenes and endohedral gadolinium metallofullerenes

Abstract

Higher empty and endohedral gadolinium metallofullerenes were prepared by electric arc synthesis, isolated, and separated chromatographically to high degree of purity (99 wt %). The samples obtained were characterized by chromatography, optical spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. According to small-angle neutron scattering data, the endohedral metallofullerenes in o -xylene form a molecular solution in which the molecules interact to form molecular pairs.