Stabilizing a non-IPR C₂(13333)-C₇₄ cage with Lu₂C₂/Lu₂O: the importance of encaged non-metallic elements

A difference in encaged non-metallic element (i.e., C-2 versus O) leads to a clear change of intramolecular interactions and shifts in redox potentials of Lu2C2@C-2(13333)-C-74 and Lu2O@C-2(13333)-C-74, as a result of their distinct molecular orbital energy levels. Different from these two endoherals whose HOMOs are located on the cage, experimentally absent Lu-2@C-2(13333)-C-74 possesses a HOMO predominantly delocalized on the internal Lu-Lu bond, accompanied by a much smaller HOMO-LUMO gap, suggesting that the presence of a non-metallic unit broadens the electrochemical gaps and consequently improves the kinetic stability. These findings shed light on the role of non-metallic moieties in clusterfullerenes, providing valuable insights into the stability and properties of metallofullerenes.