Fullerene as Photocatalyst: Visible-Light Induced Reaction of Perfluorinated α,ω-Diiodoalkanes with C 60 .

Solution phase photochemical reaction, of fullerene with perfluorinated alkyldiiodides I-R-F-I can be efficiently initiated by visible range irradiation that targets solely the fullerene component. Photoinduced electron transfer ftorn fullerene onto the diiodide component effects,dissociative formation of alkyl radicals RFI* subsequently consumed by C-60 to give the principal detectable radical intermediate C60RFI*. Experimentally established second-order kinetics with respect to the fullerene concentration evidence that fullerene plays its two roles of photocatalyst and reactant in a decoupled fashion, which suggests its catalytic ability to be of-potential use in mote complex photochemical systems. The main final product of the photochemical transformation observed is the singly inked dimer of the intermediates, I-R-F-C-60-C-60-R-F-I. Side reactions of C60RFI* with the environment lead to quenching of the unpaired electron density by ortho- or para- attachment of hydrogen or iodine. The outlined kinetic findings are discussed in detail.