In this paper the procedure for catalytical bromination of C₆₀ with elementary bromine with FeBr₃ as a catalyst is described. In this procedures only one reaction product - C₆₀ Br₂₄ is obtained. The twenty four bromine atoms are symmetrically distributed over the C₆₀ sphere, which was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. The yield of bromine derivative in this reaction is 98%.

The effect of yttria additive on the thermal shock behavior of magnesium aluminate spinel has been investigated. As a starting material we used spinel (MgAl2O4) obtained by the modified glycine nitrate procedure (MGNP). Sintered products were characterized in terms of phase analysis, densities, thermal shock, monitoring the damaged surface area in the refractory specimen during thermal shock and ultrasonic determination of the Dynamic Young modulus of elasticity. It was found that a new phase between yttria and alumina is formed, which improved thermal shock properties of the spinel refractories. Also densification of samples is enhanced by yttria addition.