Electronic Structures and Geometries of C₆₀ Anions via Density Functional Calculations

Abstract

The geometries and electronic structures of C60 and its mono- through hexaanions, all of which have been prepared in macroscopic quantities, are calculated using modern density functional techniques. Clear assignments of the electronic states, symmetries, and Jahn−Teller distorted geometries of the ions, which are difficult to determine experimentally, are obtained. The results are compared with available experimental data, and the agreement is excellent. Our calculations predict the geometries and electronic structures which have not yet been measured. Comparison with previous theoretical work indicates that density functional theory is the method of choice for the fullerene anions.