Abstract: The endohedral metallofullerene Tb₃N@C₈₀ was synthesized by using an improved DCarc discharge method under a He atmosphere containing 2%～5% nitrogen. The experimental results indicated that the introduction of small amounts of nitrogen into the electric arc reactor led to the production of Tb₃N@C₈₀. The technique of high pressure and high temperature extraction with DMFand two step HPLCmethod were used to extract and isolate small amounts of Tb₃N@C₈₀. The sample was characterized by HPLC, MALDI TOFmass spectrum and UV-Vis-NIRspectrum. The observed isotope distribution is consistent with the expected isotope distribution for Tb₃N@C₈₀, which shows that the sample obtained should be Tb₃N@C₈₀. The UV-Vis-NIRspectrum shows a large difference between Tb₃N@C₈₀ and M@C₈₂ (M=Tb, Gd, La and so on).

Key words: Endohedral metallofullerene, Tb₃N@C₈₀, Mass spectrum, UV-Vis-NIR spectrum