The solid-state structure of K₃C₆₀(THF)₁₄

A solution reaction of C₆₀ with an excess of potassium metal under sonication yields K₃C₆₀(THF)¹⁴ (1; THF = tetrahydrofuran). Compound 1 forms a polymeric linear chain built-up from one potassium ion bridging between two fulleride ions and thereby sitting above a C-C bond between two pentagons, while the other two potassium ions cap the C₆₀ molecule from top and bottom, thereby being located above six-membered rings. The coordination sphere of the potassium centres is completed by THF molecules. The crystal packing reveals a similarity with the face centred cubic lattice of the superconducting K₃C₆₀ phase. The solution EPR spectrum of 1 exhibits a sharp signal with g = 2.0007 at temperatures between 120 and 330 K.