Ozone addition to C60 and C70 fullerenes: A DFT study

Three modes of synchronous ozone addition ([6.6]-, [5.6]-, and 1,4-addition) to C60 fullerene and three modes of ozone addition to C70 (ab-, cc-, and de-addition) have been studied using density functional theory calculations. Comparison of activation enthalpies shows that in the case of C60, [6.6]-addition of ozone is the most favorable energetically and occurs without a barrier. In the case of the C70 fullerene, additions to ab- and cc-bonds are the most favorable. The initial step of interaction between a C60/C70 and O3 is the formation of a molecular complex, which then converts into a primary ozonide. The calculated rate constant of the [6.6]-addition to the C60 fullerene according to the proposed scheme is 3.90 × 106 L mol−1 s−1, which corresponds well to the experimental value.