Gas phase derivations of endohedral metallofullerenes by ion-molecular reactions

Gas phase ion-molecular reactions of endohedral metallofullerenes with the self-chemical ionization ion system of vinyl acetate, benzene and acetone in the ion source of the mass spectrometer have been studied. Several derivatized endohedral metallofullerene cations [M@C-82-C2H3O](+), [M-2@C-80-C2H3O](+), [M@C-82-C6H6](+) and [M@C-82-CO-CH3](+) are observed as the major products. The experimental results indicate that endohedral metallofullerenes have active gas phase reactivities and can be efficiently derivatized by some small organic cations.