title: A single molecule of water encapsulated in fullerene C₆₀.
abstract: Water normally exists in hydrogen-bonded environments, but a single molecule of H(2)O without any hydrogen bonds can be completely isolated within the confined subnano space inside fullerene C(60). We isolated bulk quantities of such a molecule by first synthesizing an open-cage C(60) derivative whose opening can be enlarged in situ at 120°C that quantitatively encapsulated one water molecule under the high-pressure conditions. The relatively simple method was developed to close the cage and encapsulate water. The structure of H(2)O@C(60) was determined by single-crystal x-ray analysis, along with its physical and spectroscopic properties.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan.
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kurotobi
authors.forename: Yasujiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murata