title: Gas-phase observation of multiply charged C60 anions.
abstract: Gas-phase observation of C60(1-), C60(3-), and C60(4-) anions generated at platinum and gold electrodes and detected by electrochemical/electrospray mass spectrometry is reported. The anions were electrochemically generated from solutions of C60 dissolved in toluene/acetonitrile as well as from reduction of C60 films on gold electrode surfaces. The gas-phase observation of C60(3-) and C60(4-), despite the fact that they have negative electron affinities, is a result of a Coulombic barrier to electron loss. The fact that C60(2-) was not detected in these experiments is ascribed to its limited solubility under the reaction conditions. These studies, which demonstrate the gas-phase kinetic stability of C60(3-) and C60(4-), illustrate the promise of electrochemical/electrospray mass spectrometry for the study of metastable anions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 179 New Chemistry Building, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5312, USA.
authors.forename: Vince
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cammarata
authors.forename: Tan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Illies
authors.forename: Lidong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shevlin