Investigation of reactions between [60]fullerene and molecular fluorine in a CoF2 matrix.

Fluorination of [60]fullerene dispersed in a CoF2 matrix with molecular fluorine was studied. The reaction was carried out in a mass spectrometer. The partial pressures of volatile products were continuously monitored at the constant fluorine inlet. The differences in the activation barriers of subsequent fluorination from C60 to C60F44 were estimated. The conditions, at which C60F18 and C60F36 were formed selectively, were found. Based on a comparison between the fluorination of pure C60 and C60 dispersed in CoF2 matrix, the role of a matrix in the selectivity of this process was elucidated.