Metal encapsulating carbon nanostructures from oligoalkyne metal complexes

• Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol. 121; no. 44
• Main Authors: Dosa, P.I., Erben, C., Iyer, V.S., Vollhardt, K.P.C., Wasser, I.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 10.11.1999
• Subjects: CARBON; ENCAPSULATION; MATERIALS SCIENCE; PYROLYSIS; TRANSITION ELEMENTS; TUBES; USES
• ISSN: 0002-7863; 1520-5126
• DOI: 10.1021/ja9924602

Carbon nanotubes, onions, and related closed-shell carbon particles have commanded extensive recent attention because of their potential applications as unique electronic, magnetic, and mechanically robust materials. When filled with metals, such nanocapsules have additional promise as magnetic particles, contrasting agents, protecting cloaks, and catalysts and in other applications. Among the various methods for their preparation, the transition metal (especially Fe, Co, and Ni) catalyzed pyrolysis of small organic molecules has shown promise for larger scale production and in structural control. While the use of organometallic complexes as solid catalyst precursors or copyrolytic gaseous ingredients has been reported, all of these studies have been limited to gas-phase experiments at relatively high temperatures. There is very little literature that deals with the organic solid-state generation of carbon nanotubes. The latter suffers from extreme conditions, poor yields, or not readily modifiable starting materials. Development of synthetic organic approaches to closed shell large carbon structures is desirable but in its infancy. Here the authors present a significant step in its progress.