Electron transfer to triplet fullerene C60

The recent isolation of fullerenes such as C{sub 60} and C{sub 70} has led to several studies of the reactivity and physical properties of their excited states. The authors recently reported that triplet C{sub 60} ({sup 3}C{sub 60}) is formed with a quantum yield of 1.0 and has an energy near 35 kcal/mol; these values have since been confirmed. Recent photothermal determinations of the triplet energy are close to 36 kcal/mol. In conclusion, {sup 3}C{sub 60} is a powerful electron acceptor, with a reduction potential near 1.14 V vs SCE. It is reduced by electron donors according to the Weller equation with the formation of aromatic amine radical cations and C{sub 60} radical anion, which absorbs between 900 and 1120 nm. Further studies of fullerene excited-state redox behavior are in progress. 49 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.