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Purification of C60 and C70 by selective complexation with calixarenes

Nature volume 368, pages 229–231 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

MOLECULAR complexation of fullerenes in host–guest complexes has the potential to afford efficient large-scale purification of fullerenes1. This method would avoid the losses inherent in the chromatographic techniques currently in use, which arise from irreversible absorption on the stationary phase2. Several host-guest interactions have been reported for C60, including the formation of complexes with 1,4-hydroquinone3,4, azacrown compounds5, certain water-soluble macrocycles such as γ-cyclodextrin6–8, and complexation between C60 and an iridium phosphine in which pendant groups attached to a phosphorus atom form a cradle for an adjacent C60 molecule9. Other relevant studies are the inclusion of C60 into a microporous aluminophosphate10 and the formation of a charge-transfer complex between C60 and a thiafulvalene11. Here we show that both C60 and C70 will form discrete complexes with calixarenes, bowl-shaped macrocycles with hydrophobic cavities. Complexation of p-Bu'-calix[8]arene with a mixture of the toluene extract of 'crude' fullerene soot, followed by a series of recrystallizations, affords >99.5% pure C6. Our approach could lead to a substantial reduction in the cost of purifying C60 and C70.

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Author notes

  1. Colin L. Raston: To whom correspondence should be addressed

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, USA

    Jerry L Atwood

  2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, 4111, Australia

    George A. Koutsantonis & Colin L. Raston

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  1. Jerry L Atwood
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  2. George A. Koutsantonis
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  3. Colin L. Raston
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Atwood, J., Koutsantonis, G. & Raston, C. Purification of C60 and C70 by selective complexation with calixarenes. Nature 368, 229–231 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/368229a0

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