Regioselective synthesis of novel e-edge-[60]fullerenylmethanodihydropyrroles and 1,2-dihydromethano[60]fullerenes

Treatment of a tethered N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate-malonate derivative with [60]fullerene under Bingel conditions yielded an e-edge-[60]fullerenylmethanodihydropyrrole adduct in a regioselective manner. The regiochemical outcome was independent of the order of addition of either the N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate or the malonate moieties. This new bis-adduct was also prepared in 13C enriched form allowing for its unequivocal structural characterization by 2D INADEQUATE NMR experiments. Ring-opening of the dihydropyrrole functionality of the bisadducts under reductive conditions gave exclusively novel dihydromethano[60]fullerene derivatives.