Reactivity of Open-Shell Metallofullerene Anions: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Electrochemical Properties of Benzylated Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>

The reactivity of the open-shell Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub> with different charge states towards benzyl bromide was investigated. [Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> exhibited enhanced...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xinyi Zhou, Yang-Rong Yao, Yajing Hu, Le Yang, Shaoting Yang, Yilu Zhang, Qianyan Zhang, Ping Peng, Peng Jin, Fang-Fang Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Inorganics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6740/11/9/349
Description
Summary:The reactivity of the open-shell Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub> with different charge states towards benzyl bromide was investigated. [Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> exhibited enhanced activity relative to Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub> and [Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>]<sup>−</sup>. The structural characterizations, including MALDI-TOF MS, UV-vis-NIR, and single crystal X-ray diffraction, indicate the formation of isomeric benzyl monoadducts of Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>. All three monoadducts contain 1:1 mirror-symmetric enantiomers. Additionally, the addition of the benzyl group and its specific position result in distinct electrochemical behavior of the products compared to the parent Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>. Theoretical studies demonstrate that only [Gd@<i>C</i><sub>2v</sub>-C<sub>82</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> has a HOMO energy level that matches well with the LUMO energy level of the PhCH<sub>2</sub> radical, providing a rationalization for the observed significantly different reactivity.
ISSN:2304-6740