Abstract: Gas phase ion molecule reactions of buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀) with the ion systems generated from the self chemical ionization of alkyl methyl ethers(CH₃OC_nH_2n+1, n=2, 3, 4) were studied in the ion source of a mass spectrometer. The adduct cation [C₆₀C₂H₅O]⁺and protonated molecular ion [C₆₀H]⁺ were observed as the major products. The former was produced by the reactions of C₆₀with the methoxymethyl ion [CH₃O=CH₂]⁺, the latter corresponded to the proton transfer reactions from the protonated alkyl methyl ethers to C₆₀. It is suggested that the [3+2] cycloadduct is the most favorable structure among the probable isomers with special chemical properties. Our investigation provides the guidance for the synthesis of this compound in condensed phase.

Key words: C₆₀, Methyl ethers, Ion-molecule reaction