Theoretical study on C100 fullerenes and C96X4 (X=N, P, B, Si)

The geometrical structures and electronic properties of six fullerene isomers of C100 were studied at the HF/6-31G⁎ and B3LYP/6-31G⁎ levels, respectively. The results of the fully optimized calculations show that three C100 isomers 449:D2, 425:C1 and 442:C2 are near isoenergetic isomers. The energies and properties of C100 hexaanions were calculated. The C1006− (450:D5) isomer is predicted to be the most stable isomer at the B3LYP/6-31G⁎ level, and the C1006− (449:D2) isomer is 44.1 kcal/mol higher in energy. The heterofullerenes C96X4 (X=N, P, B, Si) formed from the initial C100 (449:D2) have also been investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G⁎ level. The HOMO–LUMO gaps and aromaticities show that the replacement of fullerene carbon atoms with four heteroatoms can enhance the electronic stabilization of C100 (449:D2).