Synthesis of C3v-#1911C64H4C3v-#1911C64H4 using a low-pressure benzene/oxygen diffusion flame: Another pathway toward non-IPR fullerenes

In addition to the traditional Krätschmer–Huffman graphite arc-discharge method, a combustion method has been developed to synthesize fullerenes that defy the isolated pentagon rule (IPR). The C3v  -symmetric #1911C64H4#1911C64H4, as well as other non-IPR fullerenes such as the possible non-IPR C60 isomer, have been synthesized as fullerene hydrides in a low-pressure benzene/oxygen diffusion flame. The non-IPR structure of the chromatographically isolated C64 species was unambiguously identified by its HPLC retention time, UV absorption and mass spectrum by comparison with the reference material C3v-#1911C64H4C3v-#1911C64H4. The synthesis, isolation and identification of C3v-#1911C64H4C3v-#1911C64H4, as described in this work, show that this combustion method is successful, is energy efficient and is a promising candidate for the macroscopic synthesis of non-IPR fullerenes.