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Computational insights into the Multi-Diels-Alder reactions of neutral C60 and its Li+ encapsulated analogue: A DFT study
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  • Tamalika Ash,
  • Soumadip Banerjee,
  • Tanay Debnath,
  • Abhijit Das
Tamalika Ash
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Soumadip Banerjee
Indian Association for the Cultivation of science
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Tanay Debnath
Indian Association for the Cultivation of science
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Abhijit Das
Indian Association for the Cultivation of science
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Abstract

Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction is helpful to produce covalent derivatives of fullerene with desirable electronic and physical properties. In the present venture, we have computationally investigated the reactivity of neutral C60 and its Li+ encapsulated derivative towards Multi-Diels-Alder (MDA) reaction with 1,3-butadiene, employing density functional theory (DFT). The computational reports available to date illustrate the functionalization of fullerene surfaces of neutral and encapsulated C60 (Ca and Sm) with two butadiene molecules. In this article, we aim to investigate whether more than two butadiene molecules can be attached to the fullerene surface or not. To do so, we have shown that the MDA reaction initiates with the formation of an encounter complex between the mono-functionalized fullerene product and the second butadiene molecule. In this context, two different approaches, namely ‘Direct’ and ‘Alternative’ have been considered based on the attachment of the second butadiene, i.e., whether it is attached to the opposite or adjacent position of the first functionalization, which eventually produces the same final product. We have explored the MDA reactions by considering a total of four diene molecules that can be embedded successfully on the fullerene surface, with each reaction step having a high degree of exothermicity, thus making the overall reaction thermodynamically facile. In harmony with the mono- and bis-cycloaddition reactions, for MDA reaction also, the positive impact of Li+ encapsulation for enhancing the reactivity of fullerene surface towards butadiene attachment is evident from our study. On-the-fly calculations also suggest the bond preference for [6, 6] connectivity than its [6, 5] counterpart, to be the suitable dienophile, just like the mono- and bis-functionalization reported earlier. Overall, the present study will foresee an extensive idea about the detailed mechanism of the MDA reaction on neutral C60 and Li+@C60 that could encourage the scientists to perform the aforementioned reaction for other fullerene derivatives in the long run.
10 Jun 2021Submitted to International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
11 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
11 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
19 Jun 20211st Revision Received
22 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
22 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
06 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
23 Aug 20212nd Revision Received
24 Aug 2021Submission Checks Completed
24 Aug 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Aug 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
13 Sep 20213rd Revision Received
14 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
14 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
14 Sep 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Sep 2021Editorial Decision: Accept