Approaches to open fullerenes: synthesis and thermal stability of cis-1 bis(isobenzofuran) Diels-Alder adducts of C60

J Org Chem. 2007 Apr 13;72(8):2724-31. doi: 10.1021/jo061987b. Epub 2007 Mar 17.

Abstract

In a quest to form wider openings within the cage of the fullerene C60 through controlled bond-breaking reactions, we have examined the double saturation of adjacent C=C bonds within a six-membered ring of C60. We have investigated the double Diels-Alder cycloaddition of two tethered isobenzofurans to the fullerene C60. We obtained cis-1 adducts in good yields after reacting the methylene- or quinoxaline-tethered bis(isobenzofuran) precursors 2a-k with parent 3,6-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (3b). The X-ray structure of the methylene-tethered bis(isobenzofuran)-C60 adduct 4b has been obtained; four-eclipsed substituents are held rigidly by the bicyclic addends. The cis-1 bis(isobenzofuran) bisadducts 4b and 4e-j are kinetically far more stable toward thermal retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation than are mono(isobenzofuran) adducts of C60, in solution and in the solid state as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy or thermogravimetric analysis. A methodology for the reversible solubilization of other fullerene derivatives based on this work is also presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzofurans / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Cyclization
  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Fullerenes
  • fullerene C60