NMR and Raman characterization of pressure polymerized C60

Bulk C60 has been treated at 1.1 GPa and 550–585 K, producing a dense insoluble material which on heating to above 600 K reverts to normal C60. Raman and IR studies on modified material show a large number of new lines, and the Raman pentagon pinch mode shifts from 1469 to 1458 cm−1 as on photopolymerization. MAS NMR shows one broadened line at the original C60 shift 144 ppm and a small peak at about 77 ppm due to the bridging carbons. None of the new resonances observed for C60 polymerized by other methods were observed. The results verify previously suggested polymeric structures where the fullerence cages are connected by four-membered rings.