Synthesis and Single-Crystal X-ray Structure of a Highly Symmetrical C 60 Derivative, C 60 Br 24

• DOI: 10.1126/science.256.5058.822
• Publication Date: 2006-10-05T23:03:06Z
• Authors: Fred N. Tebbe; Richard L. Harlow; D. Bruce Chase; David L. Thorn; G. Creston Campbell; Joseph C. Calabrese; Norman Herron; Robert J. Young; E. Wasserman
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

C 60 and liquid bromine react to form C 60 Br 24 , a crystalline compound isolated as a bromine solvate, C 60 Br 24 (Br 2 ) x , The x-ray crystal structure defines a new pattern of addition to the carbon skeleton that imparts a rare high symmetry. The parent C 60 framework is recognizable in C 60 Br 24 , but sp 3 carbons at sites of bromination distort the surface, affecting conformations of all of the hexagonal and pentagonal rings. Twenty-four bromine atoms envelop the carbon core, shielding the 18 remaining double bonds from addition. At 150° to 200°C there is effectively quantitative reversion of C 60 Br 24 to C 60 and Br 2 .