Methylation of C-60 using the modified hot filament chemical vapour deposition method

The methylation of C-60 was performed via a gas-phase reaction in a CH4/H-2 atmosphere using a modified hot filament chemical vapour deposition (HFCVD) method. Pressures were varied from 20-45 torr, substrate temperatures set at 690 degrees C and reaction times up to 15 minutes. High-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry was used to determine the synthetic route of the methylated products through accurate mass measurements. The analysis established the production of C60H18-2n(H,CH3)(n) (n=1-3). Collision-induced dissociation experiments confirmed a maximum of 18 ligands possible to the C-60 cage. The formation of carbon spheres with diameters up to 25 mu m on the surface of the tungsten filament subsequent to HFCVD is also reported