A catalytic synthesis and structural characterization of a new [84]fullerene isomer

The synthesis, separation and isolation of a new [84]fullerene isomer from arc-burned soot of dysprosium-doped graphite composite rods is reported; high-resolution 13C NMR and electronic absorption UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy were used to characterize this material, which was found to possess C2 molecular symmetry; the successful synthesis of the new [84-C2]fullerene isomer can be ascribed to a catalytic role played by the doped Dy metal atoms in the composite rods.