(Invited) Toward the Isolation of Giant C₁₂₀-C₂₀₀ Fullertubes

The newly reported purification and isolation of pristine and unfunctionalized C90 and C100 fullertubes has generated excitement due to their unique “hybrid” structure of ½-fullerene endcaps, but with a single wall nanotubular belt and mid-section. Unique features of these fullertubes include a (1) defined molecular weight, (2) reproducible structure, (3) pristine tubular belt region, and (4) natural solubility into organic solvents without functionalization or polymer wrapping. Hence, the surface of the fullertube belt region would inherently be smooth and free from surface coatings, derivatization, or oxidation. These features provide a unique molecular architecture for investigating the true nature of electronic and photophysical properties of the fullertube's tubular belt. In this presentation, we will discuss our lab’s recent progress toward the isolation of segmentally longer fullertubes of higher aspect ratios as we seek to move from C120 fullertubes to C150 fullertubes and beyond. Figure 1