Control of the Motion of Encapsulated Atoms Inside Fullerene Cage

Abstract

Among many kinds of metallofullerenes, M₂@C₈₀ has attracted special attention for the dynamics of the encapsulated metal atoms because of their three-dimensional random motion.1 Control of motion of atoms within a cage is expected to be very valuable in designing functional molecular devices with new electronic or magnetic properties. Herein we report the synthesis and full characterization of silylated La₂@C₈₀ (1), Ce₂@C₈₀ (2), and Prato adducts of La₂@C₈₀ (3).