Long-Lived C₆₀ Radical Anion Stabilized Inside an Electron-Deficient Coordination Cage

Fullerene C60 and its derivatives are widely used in molecular electronics, photovoltaics, battery materials, because of their exceptional suitability as electron acceptors. In this context, single-electron transfer on generates the C60• – radical anion. However, short lifetime free hampers investigation application. work, we dramatically stabilize usually short-lived species within a self-assembled M2L4 coordination cage consisting triptycene-based ligand Pd(II) cations. The electron-deficient strongly binds by providing curved inner ?-surface complementary to fullerene’s globular shape. Cyclic voltammetry revealed positive potential shift for first reduction encapsulated C60, which is indicative strong interaction between confined cationic cage. Photochemical one-electron with 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide allows selective quantitative conversion molecule millimolar acetonitrile solution at room temperature. Radical generation was confirmed nuclear magnetic resonance, paramagnetic ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. determined be so large that it could still detected after one month under an inert atmosphere.