Photoelectron spectroscopy of metallocarbohedrenes M8C12- (M=Ti, V, Cr, ZR, NB)

Photoelectron spectroscopy experiments have been performed on five metallocarbohedrene (met-car) anions, Ti8C12-, V8C12-, Cr8C12-, Zr8C12-, Nb8C12-. These met-car anions were produced by two different methods. We found that the Ti and Zr met-cars show unusually low electron affinities (EAs) and the EAs increase from Ti to Cr met-cars. The observed photoelectron spectra and the electronic structure of the met-cars are interpreted using existing theoretical calculations.