ABSTRACT -- III-9361740 Wright The PI proposes to use a continuous plasma pyrolysis process to synthesis metallofullerenes starting with either a liquid or gas phase hydrocarbon and a metallic precursor (e.g. benzene or toluene plus a an organometallic compound). In Phase I a plasma torch (2KW), operating up to 100 Torr (argon) and seeded with the appropriate starting materials, will be used. The use of a continuous plasma process should results in increased residence times and in better controllability of the process. In phase I, the plasma technique will be demonstrated and the resulting metallofullerenes will be characterized.
