Lithium-ion-encapsulated fullerenes (Li
@C
) are 3D superatoms with rich oxidative states. Here we show a conductive and magnetically frustrated metal-fullerene-bonded framework {Cu
(Li@C
)(L)(py)
...(NTf
)(hexane)}
(1) (L = 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(methanesulfonamido)benzene, py = pyridine, NTf
= bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide anion) prepared from redox-active dinuclear metal complex Cu
(L)(py)
and lithium-ion-encapsulated fullerene salt (Li
@C
)(NTf
). Electron donor Cu
(L)(py)
bonds to acceptor Li
@C
via eight Cu‒C bonds. Cu-C bond formation stems from spontaneous charge transfer (CT) between Cu
(L)(py)
and (Li
@C
)(NTf
) by removing the two-terminal py molecules, yielding triplet ground state Cu
(L)(py)
(Li
@C
), evidenced by absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, magnetic properties and quantum chemical calculations. Moreover, Li
@C
radicals (S = ½) and Cu
ions (S = ½) interact antiferromagnetically in triangular spin lattices in the absence of long-range magnetic ordering to 1.8 K. The low-temperature heat capacity indicated that compound 1 is a potential candidate for an S = ½ quantum spin liquid (QSL).
Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we directly determine the spatial and energetic distributions of superatom molecular orbitals (SAMOs) of an ...Li@C60 monolayer adsorbed on a Cu(111) surface. Utilizing a weakly bonded Li+@C60 NTf2 – (NTf2 –: bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide) salt makes it possible to produce a Li@C60 monolayer with high concentration of Li@C60 molecules. Because of the very uniform adsorption geometry of Li@C60 on Cu(111), the p z -SAMO, populated above the upper hemisphere of the molecule, exhibits an isotropic and delocalized nature, with an energy that is significantly lower compared to that of C60. The isotropic overlapping of p z -SAMOs in the condensed monolayer of Li@C60 results in a laterally homogeneous STM image contributing to the formation of a free-electron-like states. These findings make an important step toward further basic research and applicative utilization of Li@C60 SAMOs.
If the physical properties of C(60) fullerene molecules can be controlled in C(60) products already in use in various applications, the potential for industrial development will be significant. ...Encapsulation of a metal atom in the C(60) fullerene molecule is a promising way to control its physical properties. However, the isolation of C(60)-based metallofullerenes has been difficult due to their insolubility. Here, we report the complete isolation and determination of the molecular and crystal structure of polar cationic Li@C(60) metallofullerene. The physical and chemical properties of Li@C(60) cation are compared with those of pristine C(60). It is found that the lithium cation is located at off-centre positions in the C(60)-I(h) cage interior and that the Li(+)@C(60) salt has a unique two-dimensional structure. The present method of purification and crystallization of C(60)-based metallofullerenes provides a new C(60) fullerene material that contains a metal atom.
Cocrystallization of a lithium ion encapsulated fullerene Li
+
@C
60
with a terbium(
iii
) phthalocyaninato porphyrinato double-decker single-molecule magnet Tb(Pc)(OEP) is reported. The cocrystal, ...containing PF
6
−
as a counter anion, packs in a quasi-kagome lattice, which leads to intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions as well as the modulation of the single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties.
Cocrystallization of a lithium ion encapsulated fullerene with a terbium(
iii
) phthalocyaninato porphyrinato double-decker single-molecule magnet results in a quasi-kagome lattice packing showing ferromagnetic spin arrangement.
Covalently organic derivatization of Li+@C60PF6 – to obtain Li+-encapsulated PCBM, Li+@PCBMPF6 –, is described. Synthetic procedures, electrochemical properties, light absorption properties, details ...of isomerization from 5,6- to 6,6-isomer, and X-ray crystal structure of Li+@PCBMPF6 – are discussed.
Li+ ions encapsulated in fullerene C60 cages (Li+@C60) are expected to be suitable as molecular switches that respond to local electric fields. In this study, the rotational dynamics of Li+ ions in ...C60 cages at low temperatures are experimentally revealed for the first time using terahertz absorption spectroscopy. In crystalline Li+@C60(PF6-), the Li+ ion rotates in the carbon cage even at 150 K. The rotational mode gradually changes into a librational mode below 120 K, which is associated with the localization of Li+ ions due to the electrostatic interactions with its screening image charge on the C60 cage as well as with the neighboring Li+@C60 and PF6- ions. A simple rotational/librational energy scheme for the Li+ ions successfully explains the spectroscopic results, and the potential of Li+@C60 as a molecular switch is discussed based on the energy scheme.
Calorimetric and terahertz-far-infrared (THz-FIR) spectroscopic and infrared (IR) spectroscopic measurements were conducted for Li+@C60(PF6-) at temperatures between 1.8 and 395 K. Li+@C60(PF6-) ...underwent a structural phase transition at around 360 K accompanied by the orientational order-disorder transition of Li+@C60 and PF6-. The transition occurred in a step-wise manner. The total transition entropy (ΔtrsS) of 40.1 ± 0.4 J K-1 mol-1 was smaller than that of the orientational order-disorder transition in a pristine C60 crystal (ΔtrsS = 45.4 ± 0.5 J K-1 mol-1). Thus, the orientational disorder of Li+@C60 in the high-temperature phase of Li+@C60(PF6-) was much less excited than that of the pristine C60 owing to the Coulombic interactions, which stabilized the ionic crystal lattice of Li+@C60(PF6-). At T < 100 K, upon cooling, Li+ ions were trapped in two pockets on the inner surface of C60, and no phase transition was observed. Finally, the Li+ ions achieved a complete order at 24 K through antiferroelectric transition. The ΔtrsS value of 4.6 ± 0.4 J K-1 mol-1 was slightly smaller than R ln 2 = 5.76 J K-1 mol-1 expected for the two-site order-disorder transition. The extent of the Li+ motion in the C60 cage was related to the selection rule in the THz-FIR and IR spectroscopy of the C60 internal vibrations, because a C60 cage should be polarized by the Li+ ion. It is shown that the local symmetry of the caged molecule can be modified by the rotational or hopping motion of the encaged ions.
Rock solid: Fullerene‐encapsulated Li+ (Li+@C60) is an alkaline cation owing to the spherical shape and positive charge. Li+@C60 crystallizes as a rock‐salt‐type crystal in the presence of PF6−. The ...orientations of C60 (green; see picture) and PF6− (orange) are perfectly ordered below 370 K, and Li+ (purple) hops within the cage. At temperatures below 100 K two Li+ units are localized at two polar positions within each C60.
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