Synthesis and Reaction of Fullerene C₇₀ Encapsulating Two Molecules of H₂

Abstract

New endohedral fullerene C(70) encapsulating one and two H(2) molecule(s) has been synthesized by organic reactions, the so-called "molecular surgery" method, and the first organic derivatization of H(2)@C(70) and (H(2))(2)@C(70) has been conducted. Although the interaction between inner H(2) and outer C(70) is rather weak, (H(2))(2)@C(70) exhibits smaller equilibrium constants in the Diels-Alder reaction with 9,10-dimethylanthracene than those of H(2)@C(70).