Reaction of “living” poly(ethylene oxide) chains with C60

To determine the reactivity of fullerene toward oxanions, we have studied the grafting of “living” poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-K+) and ethylene oxide “capped” polystyrene chains (PSCH2CH2O-K+) onto C60 in THF. We demonstrate that, in this polar solvent, electron transfer from the oxanion to the highly electron accepting fullerene takes place. This transfer is limited to two electron per fullerene, and is accompanied by addition of polymer chains onto the C60 probably through grafting of the generated radicals. SEC characterization of (PEO)XC60 indicates the presence of products with molar masses corresponding to X≥6. That may result from aggregation occurring in this case as, using the same active species, practically only mono- and di-adducts are obtained if the chain is PS.