ИСТИНА

The electron transfer-driven transformation of fullerene derivatives is an attractive approach for the synthesis of the novel fulleroids with desired electronic structures and properties for organoelectonic applications. Furthermore, the electrochemically reversible transformation between cyclopropane and annulene configurations of C70(CF2) evidences potential applicability of the related systems for novel molecular switches. While investigating further examples of the cyclopropane/annulene skeletal transformation, our attention was attracted to Cs-C70(CF3)8, where eight CF3 groups cut its π-system into two extended corannulene caps, almost completely disjoint. [2+1]-Cycloaddition to Cs-C70(CF3)8 occurs at near- equatorial [5,6]-double bond yielding either two disjointed π-systems separated by cyclopropane moiety (Fig. 1, left) or 62πe-system in case of annulene configuration (right). These two kind derivatives C70(CF3)8[X] possesses significantly differ electronic properties resulting in different electrochemical behavior and optical properties. Here we report the application of the cyclic voltammetry and in situ ESR spectroscopy coupled with theoretical simulation at the DFT level of theory as diagnostic tools for studies of the fullerene cage transformation induced by electron transfer.