Stability of Metallofullerene LaC82 on UV Light Irradiation

Abstract
The effect of UV light on the stability of metallofullerenes containing lanthanum was investigated using laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ESR. The decomposition rate of LaC82 in toluene solution was about 100 times faster than that of C60. Moreover, decomposition of both metallofullerene and C60 toluene solutions induced by UV light irradiation in air would mainly occur without oxide formation. In these decomposition reactions by UV light irradiation, both dissolved oxygen and photo excited toluene molecules would play important roles.