Thermal [2+2] Intramolecular Cycloadditions of Fuller-1,6-enynes

Unexpected isomerism in cis-2 bis(pyrrolidino)[60]fullerene diastereomers

Similar yet different: A one-step regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of three new bis(pyrrolidine)[60]fullerenes, one cis-1 and two unprecedented cis-2 diastereoisomers, is reported. The compounds are easily purified using simple chromatographic techniques, and were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. A mechanism for the isomeric conversion observed is proposed.

Metal nitride cluster fullerene M3N@C80 (M=Y, Sc) based dyads: synthesis, and electrochemical, theoretical and photophysical studies

The first pyrrolidine and cyclopropane derivatives of the trimetallic nitride templated (TNT) endohedral metallofullerenes I(h)-Sc(3)N@C(80) and I(h)-Y(3)N@C(80) connected to an electron-donor unit (i.e., tetrathiafulvalene, phthalocyanine or ferrocene) were successfully prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides and Bingel-Hirsch-type reactions. Electrochemical studies confirmed the formation of the [6,6] regioisomers for the Y(3)N@C(80)-based dyads and the [5,6] regioisomers in the case of Sc(3)N@C(80)-based dyads. Similar to other TNT endohedral metallofullerene systems previously synthesized, irreversible reductive behavior was observed for the [6,6]-Y(3)N@C(80)-based dyads, whereas the [5,6]-Sc(3)N@C(80)-based dyads exhibited reversible reductive electrochemistry. Density functional calculations were also carried out on these dyads confirming the importance of these structures as electron transfer model systems. Furthermore, photophysical investigations on a ferrocenyl-Sc(3)N@C(80)-fulleropyrrolidine dyad demonstrated the existence of a photoinduced electron-transfer process that yields a radical ion pair with a lifetime three times longer than that obtained for the analogous C(60) dyad.

Theoretical Study of the Reaction Mechanisms Involved in the Thermal Intramolecular Reactions of 1,6-Fullerenynes

Substitution of a H atom by an alkyl group on the terminal carbon of the alkyne moiety of 1,6-fullerenynes has a strong impact on the products of the reaction undergone by this species after thermal treatment. While the reaction of 1,6-fullerenynes bearing an unsubstituted alkyne moiety results in the cycloaddition of the alkyne group to the fullerene double bond leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives, the presence of an alkyl substituent leads to the formation of allenes. In the present work, we have performed an exhaustive theoretical analysis of all possible reaction mechanisms leading to cyclobutene-fused derivatives and allenes to offer an explanation of the reactivity differences observed. The results obtained show that formation of cyclobutene-fused derivatives occurs through a stepwise diradical reaction mechanism, while allene formation proceeds through a concerted way involving an uncommon intramolecular ene process. For the 1,6-fullerenynes bearing a substituted alkyne, the ene reaction path leading to allenes has an energy barrier somewhat lower than the stepwise diradical mechanism for the cyclobutene-fused derivative formation, thus explaining the outcome of the reaction.

The Mechanistic Puzzle of Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Skeletal Rearrangements of Enynes

Three pathways actually compete in metal-catalyzed cyclizations of enynes in which the metal selectively activates the alkyne: an endocyclic process and two exo-cyclizations, one proceeding by anti attack of the alkene and a second one resulting in a syn addition. Although cyclobutenes may be formed in transition-metal-catalyzed cyclization of some enynes, particularly, 1,7-enynes, these compounds are not necessarily the intermediates in the skeletal rearrangement. Cyclobutenes are formed by ring expansion of syn-cyclopropyl metal-carbenes formed in the syn pathway.