Superdiatomics and Picosprings: Cage−Cage Vibrations in C120O, C120O2, and in Three Isomers of C130O

The title compounds comprising furanoid- (C 120 O, C 130 O) or bisfuranoid-linked (C 120 O 2 ) fullerene cages were prepared from C 60 O and C 60 /C 70 . For C 130 O, three isomers were isolated. Following HPLC separation all substances were characterized as (microcrystalline) solids by Raman spectroscopy. Measurements, which in the case of C 120 O and C 120 O 2 commenced at Stokes shifts greater than 15 cm -1, were interpreted in terms of semiempirical calculations (PM3) both of ground-state energetics as well as of vibrational frequencies. Good agreement between (harmonic) vibrational frequency predictions and Raman spectra was obtained. A comprehensive discussion of low-frequency cage−cage vibrations in fullerene dimers and related compounds is attempted on this basis.