Polar and tropical regioisomeric decanuclear cuprofullerenes

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry frontiers Vol. 11; no. 23; pp. 8324 - 833
• Main Authors: Sun, Jing-Xuan, Zou, Ting-Ting, Zhang, Yi-Chun, Liu, Yu-Li, Dang, Li, Zhan, Shun-Ze, Cai, Hong, Li, Dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Royal Society of Chemistry 19.11.2024
• Subjects: Charge transfer; Chemical bonds; Chemical synthesis; Coordination; Metallofullerenes; Topology
• ISSN: 2052-1553; 2052-1545; 2052-1553
• DOI: 10.1039/d4qi02261k

Achieving exohedral metallofullerenes (ExMFs) with metal atoms selectively binding at specific spatial positions on the surface of a C 60 molecule remains a considerable challenge. In this study, we report the synthesis of two decanuclear, regioisomeric cuprofullerenes with polar and tropical coordination patterns. Complex 1 features 10 Cu I atoms coordinated to the C&z.dbd;C bonds of two polar zones, stabilized by Cl − anions and protonated 4-methoxybenzylamine countercations. Complex 2 involves coordination of 10 Cu I atoms in the tropical zone, utilizing trifluoroacetate ( L F ) and 5-methylpicolinate ( L mpic ) as auxiliary ligands. Notably, complex 2 forms a typical pcu topology MOF, linking tropical cuprofullerenes through Cu II ( L mpic ) 2 units. Theoretical calculations reveal intricate charge transfer processes that significantly influence the electronic properties of these cuprofullerenes. Two polar and tropical coordinated decanuclear regioisomeric cuprofullerenes with Cu I atoms coordinating on C&z.dbd;C bonds of the two polar zones around pentagons and the tropical zone of the equator have been successfully assembled, respectively.