Unusual Chemical Reactivity at Low Temperatures of Buckminsterfullerene C60

Unusual properties of buckminsterfullerene C60 were explored, which reacted more efficiently with primary and secondary amines at low temperatures than at elevated temperatures in a solvent, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Low temperatures favor the formation of a charge-transfer complex, which can be detected by UV spectrometry. Furthermore, a series of electron spin resonance experiments were performed at various low temperatures to detect the formation of C60•–. The “low-temperature” acceleration effect on the amination of fullerene C60 is closely related to solvent and temperatures. The new findings provide an avenue to functionalize buckminsterfullerene C60 so that the resultant adducts may have controllable solubility in various media. The outcome may offer a solution to enhance its biological and medicinal applicability.