High-yield preparation of dimetallofullerenes by the improved DC arc discharge method Original Research Article

The soot containing yttrium metallofullerenes was prepared by DC arc discharge method under novel conditions including the use of YNi2 alloy, high helium static pressure and high Y:C ratio and extracted by CS2. The extract was enriched by column liquid chromatography on silica gel with a mixed solvent of 85% petroleum ether and 15% xylene, xylene and carbon disulfide as successive eluents. Mass spectra show that dimetallofullerenes with nearly no detectable monometallofullerenes were obtained in bulk quantities.