Regioselective Electrosynthesis of Rare 1,2,3,16-Functionalized [60]Fullerene Derivatives

Synthesis of spiro[indolenine]-methanofullerenes via Deoxofluor promoted deoxygenative cyclopropanation of 1,2-(3-indole)-fullerenols

Deoxofluor-promoted intramolecular cyclopropanation of 1,2-(3-indole)fullerenols has been developed as a straightforward and efficient protocol for the synthesis of various spiro[indolenine]-methanofullerenes. This approach exhibits low cost, operational simplicity, and convenient conditions, and thus has potential application value.

Electrosynthesis of buckyballs with fused-ring systems from PCBM and its analogue

[6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), a star molecule in the fullerene field, has found wide applications in materials science. Herein, electrosynthesis of buckyballs with fused-ring systems has been achieved through radical α-C-H functionalization of the side-chain ester for both PCBM and its analogue, [6,6]-phenyl-C61-propionic acid methyl ester (PCPM), in the presence of a trace amount of oxygen. Two classes of buckyballs with fused bi- and tricyclic carbocycles have been electrochemically synthesized. Furthermore, an unknown type of a bisfulleroid with two tethered [6,6]-open orifices can also be efficiently generated from PCPM. All three types of products have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A representative intramolecularly annulated isomer of PCBM has been applied as an additive to inverted planar perovskite solar cells and boosted a significant enhancement of power conversion efficiency from 15.83% to 17.67%.

Copper-Mediated Radical-Induced Ring-Opening Relay Cascade Carboannulation Reaction of [60]Fullerene with Cyclobutanone Oxime Esters: Access to [60]Fullerene-Fused Cyclopentanes

An unexpected copper-mediated radical-induced ring-opening relay cascade carboannulation reaction of [60]fullerene with cyclobutanone oxime esters is presented for the preparation of various Cl-/Br-incorporated [60]fullerene-fused cyclopentanes. The unique relay cascade transformation uses inexpensive copper salts as promoters and halogen sources and features simple redox-neutral conditions and a broad substrate scope, providing a practical access to a class of novel five-membered carbocycle-fused fullerenes.

Transition-metal-mediated benzylation of C60 with benzyl chlorides

Benzyl bromides have been widely used for fullerene functionalization. However, the use of benzyl chlorides, a more affordable but less reactive counterpart of benzyl bromides, has been rarely reported. Herein, a new metal-mediated benzylation of C₆₀ with benzyl chlorides is presented. In this method, with the combinatorial use of Mn powder and Cu(OAc)₂, various benzyl chloride derivatives could react with C₆₀ to afford 1,4-dibenzylated products in 12-53% yields. A mechanistic study by in situ visible near infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy and various control experiments suggests that, unlike the conventional anionic pathway that uses benzyl bromides, the transition-metal-mediated benzylation of C₆₀ with benzyl chlorides proceeds via a metal-mediated iterative single electron transfer process.

Theoretical mechanism study on the electrochemical benzylation of [60]fullerene derivatives

The electrochemical methodology is available for the functionalization of fullerenes. However, intricate and ambiguous issues remain to be identified for some electrochemical reactions. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the electron delocalization of C₆₀ in fullerobenzofuran (RF5) and the C₆₀-fused lactone (RL6) declines with the electron injection of electrochemistry, and clear active sites can be obtained to react with the electrophilic agent. Furthermore, the selectivity of the addition reaction depends on the O^δ- site, which is inclined to react with the C^δ+ of C₆₀ after electron injection or the C^δ+ of PhCH₂⁺, forming a new C-O bond.

Electrosynthesis of Decorated Basket Molecules: [60]Fullerene-Fused 12-Membered Macrolactones

The electrosynthesis of decorated basket molecules, that is, [60]fullerene-fused 12-membered macrolactones, has been achieved efficiently for the first time by the electrochemical reduction of [60]fullerene-fused 6-membered lactones and subsequent ring expansion with 1,2-bis(1-bromoalkyl)benzenes. The observed isomeric distributions of the obtained macrolactones are elucidated by theoretical calculations. The product structures have been firmly established by single-crystal X-ray analyses.

Electrochemically Promoted Benzylation of [60]Fullerooxazolidinone

Benzylation of the electrochemically generated dianion from N-p-tolyl-[60]fullerooxazolidinone with benzyl bromide provides three products with different addition patterns. The product distribution can be dramatically altered by varying the reaction conditions. Based on spectral characterizations, these products have been assigned as mono-benzylated 1,4-adduct and bis-benzylated 1,2,3,16- and 1,4,9,25-adducts, respectively. The assigned 1,2,3,16-adduct has been further established by X-ray diffraction analysis. It is believed that the 1,4-adduct is obtained by decarboxylative benzylation of the dianionic species, while bis-benzylated 1,2,3,16- and 1,4,9,25-adducts are achieved via a rearrangement process. In addition, the electrochemical properties of these products have been studied.

Unexpected Formation of Pyrazoline-Fused Metallofullerenes from the Multicomponent Cascade Reaction of Sc3N@Ih-C80 with Tetrazines, Water, and Oxygen

The multicomponent cascade reaction of Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ with 3,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazines, water, and oxygen unexpectedly affords the pyrazoline-fused Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ derivatives. The obtained endohedral metallofullerene derivatives have been characterized by various spectral means, and their structures have been unambiguously established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A possible reaction mechanism via a complicated sequence of Diels-Alder reaction, retro Diels-Alder reaction, hydration, rearrangement, and dehydrogenation processes is proposed for the formation of pyrazoline-fused metallofullerenes.

Palladium-Catalyzed Three-Component 1,4-Alkoxyarylation Reaction of [60]Fullerene

The palladium-catalyzed three-component alkoxyarylation reaction of [60]fullerene with primary/secondary alcohols and aryl iodides generates a series of 1,4-(alkoxy)(aryl)[60]fullerene derivatives. Plausible reaction pathways for the formation of 1,4-(alkoxy)(aryl)[60]fullerenes are proposed. In addition, the electrochemical properties of the synthesized 1,4-alkoxyarylation adducts are investigated.

Retro Baeyer–Villiger reaction: thermal conversion of the [60]fullerene-fused lactones to ketones

The conversion of the [60]fullerene-fused lactones to ketones with triflic anhydride as an unusual reductant under aerobic conditions has been achieved in excellent yields. The present thermal retro Baeyer–Villiger reaction...

Designing New Indene-Fullerene Derivatives as Electron-Transporting Materials for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells

The synthesis and characterization of a family of indene-C₆₀ adducts obtained via Diels-Alder cycloaddition [4 + 2] are reported. The new C₆₀ derivatives include indenes with a variety of functional groups. These adducts show lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels to be at the right position to consider these compounds as electron-transporting materials for planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells. Selected derivatives were applied into inverted (p-i-n configuration) perovskite device architectures, fabricated on flexible polymer substrates, with large active areas (1 cm²). The highest power conversion efficiency, reaching 13.61%, was obtained for the 6'-acetamido-1',4'-dihydro-naphtho[2',3':1,2][5,6]fullerene-C₆₀ (NHAc-ICMA). Spectroscopic characterization was applied to visualize possible passivation effects of the perovskite's surface induced by these adducts.

Cu(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of [60]Fullerene-Fused Lactams and Further Electrochemical Functionalization

A novel and efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed radical heteroannulation reaction of [60]fullerene (C₆₀) with α-bromo acetamides has been disclosed for the direct synthesis of diverse C₆₀-fused lactams. Furthermore, the formed C₆₀-fused lactams can be served as a versatile platform for further electrochemical functionalization to prepare 1,2-, 1,4-, 1,2,3,16-, and 1,4,9,25-adducts of C₆₀. In addition, a representative fullerene product has been applied as an overcoating layer of the electron-transporting layer in n-type perovskite solar cell.

Electrochemical regioselective alkylations of a [60]fulleroindoline with bulky alkyl bromides

Electrochemical alkylations of a [60]fulleroindoline with different bulky alkyl bromides exhibit different reaction behaviors. The hydroalkylation and dialkylation of the electrochemically generated dianionic [60]fulleroindoline with bulky 2,4,6-tris(bromomethyl)mesitylene give rise to 1,2,3,16-adducts. In comparison, the hydroalkylation of the dianionic [60]fulleroindoline with bulkier diphenylbromomethane still affords a 1,2,3,16-adduct, while the corresponding dialkylation provides a sterically favoured 1,4,9,12-adduct, which is scarcely investigated, as the major product along with the isomeric 1,2,3,16-adduct as the minor product. The structures of these products have been determined by spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. A plausible reaction mechanism has been proposed to explain the formation of the observed products.

Alternative Access to Cyclopentafullerenes through the Reaction of [60]Fullerene with Aldehydes and Secondary Amines

A series of cyclopentafullerenes have been synthesized in high stereoselectivity by the thermal reaction of [60]fullerene with aldehydes and secondary amines. Both α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and saturated aldehydes can be utilized to synthesize cyclopentafullerenes as the cis isomers. The possible reaction mechanisms for the formation of cyclopentafullerenes are proposed on the basis of the experimental results.

Regioselective electrosynthesis of tetra- and hexa-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with unprecedented addition patterns

The efficient and regioselective electrosynthesis of tetra- and hexa-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with unprecedented addition patterns has been achieved. The tetra-functionalized [60]fullerene derivative with an intriguing 1,2,4,17-addition pattern is regioselectively obtained by cyclization reaction of the dianionic species generated electrochemically from a [60]fulleroindoline with 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)benzene at 0 °C, and can be converted to the more stable 1,2,3,4-adduct at 25 °C. Furthermore, the hexa-functionalized [60]fullerene derivative with the 1,2,3,4,9,10-addition pattern displaying a unique "S"-shaped configuration can be synthesized by protonation of the electrochemically generated dianion of the obtained tetra-functionalized 1,2,4,17-adduct. The structures of the tetra- and hexa-functionalized products have been determined by spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray analysis.

Synthesis of [60]fullerene-fused dihydrobenzooxazepinesviathe palladium-catalyzed oxime-directed C–H bond activation and subsequent electrochemical functionalization

The palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of [60]fullerene with oximes affords the unprecedented seven-membered [60]fullerene-fused dihydrobenzooxazepines, which can be further derivatized electrochemically.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of [60]fullerene-fused furochromenones and further electrochemical functionalization

The palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of [60]fullerene with 4-hydroxycoumarins affords [60]fullerene-fused furochromenones, which can be further derivatized via an electrochemical method to synthesize 1,2,3,4-adducts.

Successively Regioselective Electrosynthesis and Electron Transport Property of Stable Multiply Functionalized [60]Fullerene Derivatives

With the recent advance in chemical modification of fullerenes, electrosynthesis has demonstrated increasing importance in regioselective synthesis of novel fullerene derivatives. Herein, we report successively regioselective synthesis of stable tetra- and hexafunctionalized [60]fullerene derivatives. The cycloaddition reaction of the electrochemically generated dianions from [60]fulleroindolines with phthaloyl chloride regioselectively affords 1,2,4,17-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with two attached ketone groups and a unique addition pattern, where the heterocycle is rearranged to a [5,6]-junction and the carbocycle is fused to an adjacent [6,6]-junction. This addition pattern is in sharp contrast with that of the previously reported biscycloadducts, where both cycles are appended to [6,6]-junctions. The obtained tetrafunctionalized compounds can be successively manipulated to 1,2,3,4,9,10-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives with an intriguing "S"-shaped configuration via a novel electrochemical protonation. Importantly, the stability of tetrafunctionalized [60]fullerene products allows them to be applied in planar perovskite solar cells as efficient electron transport layers.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative heterocyclizations of [60]fullerene: preparation of novel vinyl-substituted [60]fullerene-fused tetrahydrofurans/pyrans/quinolines

A general and practical methodology for the preparation of novel vinyl-substituted [60]fullerene-fused tetrahydrofurans/pyrans/quinolines through palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative heterocyclizations of [60]fullerene with vinylethylene/2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonates and vinyl carbamates was developed. Without additives or ligands, the Pd(PPh3)4-catalyzed transformations undergo decarboxylative O- and N-heteroannulation processes to efficiently furnish structurally diverse [60]fullerene-fused heterocyclic derivatives.

A retro Baeyer-Villiger reaction: electrochemical reduction of [60]fullerene-fused lactones to [60]fullerene-fused ketones

An unprecedented retro Baeyer–Villiger reaction has been achieved by the electrochemical reduction of [60]fullerene-fused lactones in the presence of acetic acid at room temperature, affording [60]fullerene-fused ketones in excellent yields within a short time.

A highly efficient electrochemical reduction of [60]fullerene-fused lactones to [60]fullerene-fused ketones, a formal process of retro Baeyer–Villiger reaction, has been achieved for the first time. The electrochemically generated dianionic [60]fullerene-fused lactones can be transformed into [60]fullerene-fused ketones in the presence of acetic acid in 85–91% yields. Control experiments have been performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The products have been characterized with spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Moreover, the electrochemical properties have also been investigated.

Solvent-promoted catalyst-free regioselective N-incorporation multicomponent domino reaction: rapid assembly of π-functionalized [60]fullerene-fused dihydrocarbolines

An unprecedented solvent-promoted N-incorporation multicomponent domino chemistry was developed for the direct construction of π-functionalized [60]fullerene-fused dihydrocarbolines from simple hydrocarbons.

Functionalization of [60]fullerene through fullerene cation intermediates

Fullerene cations, namely [60]fullerene radical cation (C₆₀˙⁺) and organo[60]fullerenyl cation (RC₆₀⁺), open paths for the efficient derivatization of a great variety of fullerenes.

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of [60]fullerene-fused benzofurans via heteroannulation of phenols

Palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of [60]fullerene with phenols has been developed for the synthesis of various [60]fullerene-fused benzofurans.

Regioselective acylation and carboxylation of [60]fulleroindoline via electrochemical synthesis

A regioselective and highly efficient electrochemical method for direct acylation and carboxylation of a [60]fulleroindoline, affording 1,2,3,16-functionalized [60]fullerene derivatives, regioselectively, has been developed.

The cyclopropanation of [60]fullerobenzofurans via electrosynthesis

The regioselective cyclopropanation of dianionic [60]fullerobenzofurans by diethyl dibromomalonate is dominantly controlled by steric factor.

Biological applications of hydrophilic C60 derivatives (hC60s)- a structural perspective

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and radical scavenging are dual properties of hydrophilic C60 derivatives (hC60s). hC60s eliminate radicals in dark, while they produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of irradiation and oxygen. Compared to the pristine C60 suspension, the aqueous solution of hC60s is easier to handle in vivo. hC60s are diverse and could be placed into two general categories: covalently modified C60 derivatives and pristine C60 solubilized non-covalently by macromolecules. In order to present in detail, the above categories are broken down into 8 parts: C60(OH)n, C60 with carboxylic acid, C60 with quaternary ammonium salts, C60 with peptide, C60 containing sugar, C60 modified covalently or non-covalently solubilized by cyclodextrins (CDs), pristine C60 delivered by liposomes, functionalized C60-polymer and pristine C60 solubilized by polymer. Each hC60 shows the propensity to be ROS producer or radical scavenger. This preference is dependent on hC60s structures. For example, major application of C60(OH)n is radical scavenger, while pristine C60/γ-CD complex usually serves as ROS producer. In addition, the electron acceptability and innate hydrophobic surface confer hC60s with O2 uptake inhibition, HIV inhibition and membrane permeability. In this review, we summarize the preparation methods and biological applications of hC60s according to the structures.

Silver(i)-mediated three-component annulation reaction of [60]fullerene, sulfonylhydrazones, and nitriles: leading to diverse disubstituted [60]fullerene-fused dihydropyrroles

A novel Ag(i)-mediated three-component annulation reaction of C₆₀, sulfonylhydrazones, and nitriles is developed for the synthesis of diverse disubstituted C₆₀-fused dihydropyrroles.