Search for extractable fullerenes in the Allende meteorite

Abstract

— In an effort to confirm earlier observations of fullerenes in the Allende meteorite by Becker et al. (1994), we have treated nine separate whole-rock chips of this meteorite with toluene to search for extractable C60 and C70 fullerenes. The analysis was done with high performance liquid chromatography. Less than 1 ppb C60 and C70 were detected in a total of 131.82 g of this meteorite. Becker et al. (1994) have estimated a content of 100 ppm in one Allende sample. Either they have grossly overestimated the C60 content of their sample, or Allende is very inhomogeneous concerning fullerenes.