Essential Factors for Control of the Equilibrium in the Reversible Rearrangement of M3N@Ih‐C80 Fulleropyrrolidines: Exohedral Functional Groups versus Endohedral Metal Clusters

The effects of exohedral moieties and endohedral metal clusters on the isomerization of M₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ products from the Prato reaction through [1,5]‐sigmatropic rearrangement were systematically investigated by using three types of fulleropyrrolidine derivatives and four different endohedral metal clusters. As a result, all types of derivatives provided the same ratios of the isomers for a given trimetallic nitride template (TNT) as the thermodynamic products, thus indicating that the size of the endohedral metal clusters inside C₈₀ was the single essential factor in determining the equilibrium between the [6,6]‐isomer (kinetic product) and the [5,6]‐isomer. In all the derivatives, the [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐Prato adducts with larger metal clusters, such as Y₃N and Gd₃N, were equally stable, which is in good agreement with DFT calculations. The reaction rate of the rearrangement was dependent on both the substituent of exohedral functional groups and the endohedral metal‐cluster size. Further DFT calculations and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic studies were employed to rationalize the equilibrium in the rearrangement between the [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐fulleropyrrolidines.     

[6,6]‐Open and [6,6]‐Closed Isomers of C70(CF2): Synthesis,Electrochemical and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Novel difluoromethylenated [70]fullerene derivatives, C₇₀(CF₂)_n (n=1–3), were obtained by the reaction of C₇₀ with sodium difluorochloroacetate. Two major products, isomeric C₇₀(CF₂) mono‐adducts with [6,6]‐open and [6,6]‐closed configurations, were isolated and their homofullerene and methanofullerene structures were reliably determined by a variety of methods that included X‐ray analysis and high‐level spectroscopic techniques. The [6,6]‐open isomer of C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes the first homofullerene example of a non‐hetero [70]fullerene derivative in which functionalisation involves the most reactive bond in the polar region of the cage. Voltammetric estimation of the electron affinity of the C₇₀(CF₂) isomers showed that it is substantially higher for the [6,6]‐open isomer (the 70‐electron π‐conjugated system is retained) than the [6,6]‐closed form, the latter being similar to the electron affinity of pristine C₇₀. In situ ESR spectroelectrochemical investigation of the C₇₀(CF₂) radical anions and DFT calculations of the hyperfine coupling constants provide evidence for the first example of an inter‐conversion between the [6,6]‐closed and [6,6]‐open forms of a cage‐modified fullerene driven by an electrochemical one‐electron transfer. Thus, [6,6]‐closed C₇₀(CF₂) constitutes an interesting example of a redox‐switchable fullerene derivative.     

Addition reactions of fluoroalkanesulfonyl azides to [60] fullerene under thermal or microwave irradiation condition

The reactions of [60] fullerene with excess fluoroalkanesulfonyl azides R_fSO₂N₃ in o-dichlorobenzene under thermal or microwave irradiation condition afforded monoadduct opened [5,6]-bridged azafulleroids. While, similarly treatment of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl azides CF₃CH₂N₃ with C₆₀ gave two monoadducts, i.e., opened [5,6]-bridged azafulleroids, closed [6,6]-bridged Aziridino-fullerene, and some multi-addition product. A general mechanism for these addition reactions was proposed.     

Dearomative Ring-Fused Azafulleroids and Carbazole-Derived Metallofullerenes: Reactivity Dictated by Encapsulation in a Fullerene Cage

Herein, we report divergent additions of 2,2′-diazidobiphenyls to C₆₀ and Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀. In stark contrast to that of the previously reported bis-azide additions, the unexpected cascade reaction leads to the dearomative formation of azafulleroids 2 fused with a 7-6-5-membered ring system in the case of C₆₀. In contrast, the corresponding reaction with Sc₃N@I_h-C₈₀ switches to the C−H insertion pathway, thereby resulting in multiple isomers, including a carbazole-derived [6,6]-azametallofulleroid 3 and a [5,6]-azametallofulleroid 4 and an unusual 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2-c]carbazole-derived metallofullerene 5 , whose molecular structures have been unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Among them, the addition type of 5 is observed for the first time in all reported additions of azides to fullerenes. Furthermore, unexpected isomerizations from 3 to 5 and from 4 to 5 have been discovered, providing the first examples of the isomerization of an azafulleroid to a carbazole-derived fullerene rather than an aziridinofullerene. In particular, the isomerism of the [5,6]-isomer 4 to the [5,6]-isomer 5 is unprecedented in fullerene chemistry, contradicting the present understanding that isomerization generally occurs between [5,6]- and [6,6]-isomers. Control experiments have been carried out to rationalize the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, representative azafulleroids have been applied in organic solar cells, thereby resulting in improved power conversion efficiencies.     

Alkali‐Metal Trichloroacetates for Dichloromethylenation of Fullerenes: Nucleophilic Addition‐Substitution Route

The first experimental evidence that fullerenes react with alkali‐metal trichloroacetates through a nucleophilic addition‐substitution route, yielding dichloromethylenefullerenes as the final products, is reported. The intermediates, C₆₀(CCl₃)^? and C₇₀(CCl₃)^? anions, have been isolated in their protonated forms as ortho‐C₆₀(CCl₃)H, as well as three ortho and one para isomer of C₇₀(CCl₃)H. The structures were unambiguously determined by means of ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹H–¹³C HMBC NMR spectroscopy along with UV/Vis spectroscopy. The observed regiochemistry was analyzed with the aid of quantum chemical calculations. Conversion of the protonated compounds into the [6,6]‐closed C_60/70(CCl₂) cycloadducts under basic conditions can be effected only for the ortho isomers, whereas para‐C₇₀(CCl₃)H decomposes back into pristine C₇₀.     

Rigid Tether Directed Regioselective Synthesis and Crystallographic Characterization of Labile 1,2,3,4‐Bis(triazolino)[60]fullerene and Its Thermolized Derivatives

Labile bis‐triazoline adducts of C₆₀ are supposed to be the precursors of bis‐azafulleroids, but the formation mechanism is still unclear because of the incomplete isolation of the thermolized products and the lack of X‐ray structures. A rigid‐tethered reagent 1,2‐bis(azidomethyl)benzene ( 1 ) was used to regioselectively synthesize the labile 1,2,3,4‐bis(triazolino)[60]‐fullerene ( 2 ), the structure of which was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Further thermolysis of 2 produces four products (3 a – 3 d ), which were all characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Although 3 a and 3 b have traditional bis‐azafulleroid structures, as proposed previously, 3 c and 3 d show unprecedented structures with either the coexistence of [5,6]‐open and [6,6]‐closed patterns or an oxidized structure with an 11‐membered ring on the cage. A thermolysis mechanism is proposed to clarify long‐term confusion about the transformation process from bis‐triazoline adducts to bis‐azafulleroids of C₆₀.     

Revisit to the reaction of [60]fullerene with nitrile ylides generated from imidoyl chlorides and triethylamine

The reaction of [60]fullerene (C₆₀) with nitrile ylides generated from N-benzyl-4-nitrobenzimidoyl chloride/N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-nitrobenzimidoyl chloride and triethylamine gave only isomeric monoadducts of C₆₀ with [6,6]-closed structure. No [5,6]-open adduct of C₆₀ could be identified from these reactions. The previously reported [5,6]-open product of C₆₀ should be reassigned as a [6,6]-closed product.     

Heteroanalogues of PCBM: N‐Bridged Imino‐PCBMs for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors

Crossing the bridge : Two isomeric iminofullerenes, [5,6]‐open azafulleroid 1 and [6,6]‐closed aziridinofullerene 2 , were prepared by cycloaddition of an organic azide to C₆₀. These “azalogues” enable the study of the effects of the bridging atom in a fullerene cage, that is, C₆₀‐like (5,6‐open) versus PCBM‐like (6,6‐closed), as a function of their π systems (PCBM=[6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester).

     

Proton-acceptor properties of azahomofullerene and fullerenoaziridine containing a cyanuric acid fragment

¹³C and ¹H NMR and UV spectral studies on 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(azahomo[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([5,6]-open isomer) and 1,3-diallyl-5-[4-(aziridino[60]fullereno)butyl]hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione ([6,6]-closed isomer), as well as quantum-chemical calculations, showed that only the latter possesses weakly basic properties.     

Characterization of C8H10 alkylbenzenes by negative ion mass spectrometry

The O^?˙ chemical ionization mass spectrri of the C₈H₁₀ alkylbenzenes, o-, m-. andp -xylene and ethylbenzene, show formation of [M ? H + O]^?, [M ? H]^?, [M ? H₂]^?˙ and, for the xylenes, [M ? CH₃ + O]^? as primary reaction products; the relative importance of these products depends on the isomer. However, [OH]^? is a primary product from reaction of O^?˙ with both the C₈H₁₀ isomers and hydrogen-containing impurities; [OH]^? reacts further with the alkylbenzenes to produce [M ? H]^? with the result that the chemical ionization mass spectra depend on experimental conditions such as sample size and the presence of impurities. The collision-induced charge inversion mass spectra of the [M ? H + O]^? and [M ? H]^? products allow only distinction of ethylbenzene from the xylenes. However, the collision-induced charge inversion mass spectra of the [M ? H₂]^?˙ ions show differences which allow identification of each isomer.     

Stepwise Regioselective Hydrogenation of cis‐2‐C60(CF2)2 Homofullerene with [6,6]‐Open/Closed Valence Tautomerism

The homofullerene compound cis‐2‐C₆₀(CF₂)₂, which has an unusual kind of open/closed valence tautomerism undergoes consecutive regioselective hydrogenation at bridgehead carbon atoms upon reduction with Zn/Cu couple in H₂O‐toluene mixture. The tautomerism barrier in cis‐2‐C₆₀(CF₂)₂ is negligible in the neutral state, whereas negative charging both impedes tautomeric transformation and promotes regioselective addition of electrophilic species at the bridgehead carbon atoms. In light of this observation, two novel homofullerene derivatives, mixed [6,6]‐open/closed C₆₀(CF₂)₂H₂ and [6,6]‐open cis‐2‐C₆₀(CF₂)₂H₄, were synthesized and their structures were unambiguously determined by means of single crystal X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.     

Cyclodimerization of 1-(Dimethoxyniethyl)-5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene Induced by Nonacarbonyldiiron. Crystal Structure of (1RS, 2SR, 3RS, 4RS, 4aRS, 9aSR)- Tricarbonyl[C, 2,3, C-η-(1,4-epoxy-1,5-bis(dimethoxymethyl)-2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4,4a,9,9a,10-octahydroanthracene)]iron

The transition-metal-carbonyl-induced cyclodimerization of 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene is strongly affected by substitution at C(1) While 5,6-dimethylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept–2-ene-l-methanol ( 7 ) refused to undergo [4 + 2]-cyclodimerization in the presence of [Fe₂(CO)⁹] in MeOH, 1-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-di-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene ( 8 ) led to the formation of a 1.7:1 mixture of ‘trans’ ( 19, 21, 22 ) vs. ‘cis’ ( 20, 23, 24 ) products of cyclodimerization together with tricarbonyl[C, 5,6, C-η-(l-(dimethoxymethyl)-5,6-di-methylidenecyclohexa-1,3-diene)]iron ( 25 ) and tricarbonyl[C,3,4, C-η-(methyl 5-(dimethoxymethyl)-3,4-di-methylidenecyclohexa-1,5-diene-l-carboxylate)]iron ( 26 ). The structures of products 19 and of its exo ( 21 ) and endo ( 22 ) [Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene)]complexes) and 20 (and of its exo ( 23 ) and endo (24) (Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene)complexes) were confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies of crystalline (1RS, 2SR, 3RS, 4RS, 4aRS, 9aSR)-tricarbonyl[C, 2,3, C-η-(1,4-epoxy-1,5-bis(dimethoxymethyl])-2,3-dimethylidene-1,2,3,4,4a,9,9a,10-octahydroanthracene)iron ( 21 ). In the latter, the Fe(CO)₃(1,3-diene) moiety deviates significantly from the usual local C_s symmetry. Complex 21 corresponds to a ‘frozen equilibrium’ of rotamers with η-alkyl, η³-allyl bonding mode due to the acetal unit at the bridgehead centre C(1).     

Reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radical cations with model biological nucleophiles

The determination of gas-phase reactivity of a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with nucleophiles is directed at achieving isomer differentiation through ion-molecule reactions and collisionally activated decomposition spectra. A series of PAH isomers form gas-phase [adduci — H]⁺ ions with the reagent nucleophiles pyridine and N-methylimidazole. Collisionally activated decomposition spectra of the [adduct — H]⁺ ions of the pyridine/PAH systems are dominated by products formed by losses of C₅H₄N, C₅H₅N (presumably neutral pyridine), and C₅H₆N. Collisional activation of PAH/N-methylimidazole [adduct — H]⁺ ions causes analogous losses of C₄H₅N₂, C₄H₆N₂ (presumably neutral N-methylimidazole), and C₄H₇N₂. The relative abundances of the ions that result from these losses are highly isomer specific for N-methylimidazole but less so for pyridine. Furthermore, PAH/N-methylimidazole [adduct — H]⁺ ions undergo a series of metastableion decompositions that also provide highly isomer-specific information. The C₄H₇N₂ (from PAH/N-methylimidazole product ions) and C₅H₆N (from PAH/pyridine product ions) losses tend to increase with the ΔH _f of the PAH radical cation. In addition, it is shown that the fragmentation patterns of these gas-phase PAH/nucleophile adducts are similar to fragmentation patterns of PAH/nucleoside adducts generated in solution, which suggests that the structures of products formed in gas-phase reactions are similar to those produced in solution.     

Open versus closed 1,3-dipolar additions of C60: a theoretical investigation on their mechanism and regioselectivity

[reactions: see text] 1,3-Dipolar additions of C60 with dipoles, diazomethane, nitrile oxide, and nitrone have been modeled at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)//AM1 level, and their mechanism, regiochemistry, and nature of addition are investigated. All of these reactions lead to the formation of fullerene fused heterocycles; theoretically, these reactions can take up four types of additions, viz., closed [6,6], open [5,6], closed [5,6], and open [6,6] additions, and all of them have been examined. Energetics and thermodynamic analysis of these reactions show that closed [5,6] and open [6,6] additions are not probable and that closed [6,6] additions are the most favored ones and follow a concerted mechanism. Experimental evidence that C60-diazomethane reactions yielded closed [6,6] fullerenopyrazoline provides good support to the theoretical predictions. The observed order of reactivity has been explained based on the double bond character, forcing double bonds in the pentagons of C60, and strain. During the addition, dipoles distort more than C60 and concerted closed [6,6] TSs are found to be more reactant-like or early TS. Inclusion of toluene as solvent through the PCM model increases the reaction rate and exothermicity. NICS values computed at the centers of the reacting benzenoid ring of fullerene clearly reveal, in both open and closed additions, the loss in them of aromaticity during the reaction.     

Synthesis of fullerene C<Subscript>60</Subscript> monoadducts. Cyclopropanation of C<Subscript>60</Subscript> with sulfonium ylides

3′H-Cyclopropa[1,9](C₆₀-I_h)[5,6]fullerene-3′-carboxylic acid can be synthesized in a good yield by cyclopropanation of fullerene C₆₀ with 2-(dimethyl-λ⁴-sulfanylidene)acetates provided that the ester residue is readily hydrolyzable in acid medium.     

Synthesis and rearrangement reactions of 1,4-dihydrospiro[1,4-methanonaphthalene-9,1′-cyclopropane] derivatives

Reactions of benzyne with ester derivatives of spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dien-1-ylmethanol were performed. By rearrangement reaction of cyclopropyl methanol units of ((1s*,1′R*,2R*,4′S*)-1′,4′-dihydrospiro[cyclopropane-1,9'-[1,4]methanonaphthalen]-2-yl) methyl 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (13) and its isomer (14), corresponding allyl chlorides were obtained. Two rearrangement products were obtained from bromination of compound 13 with an equivalent amount of Br₂. A naphthalene derivative including allyl and CHO moiety was formed for reactions from compounds with epoxide of 13 and 14 with NaN₃ by sequential rearrangements. Formations of products are discussed.     

A mechanism for the loss of 60 u from peptides containing an arginine residue at the C-terminus

The loss of 60 u from protonated peptide ions containing an arginine residue at the C-terminus has been investigated by means of low energy tandem mass spectrometry. The lowest energy conformation of singly charged bradykinin is thought to involve a salt-bridge structure, which may lead to the formation of two isomeric forms. It is thought that one isomer retains the ionizing proton at the C-terminal end of the peptide, leading to the formation of the [b _n?1 + H + OH]⁺ fragment ion, and the other isomer retains the charge at the N-terminus, leading to the formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ fragment ion. It was found that the formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ ion occurs only from singly charged precursor ions. In addition, the loss of 60 u occurs from peptides in which the charge is localized at the N-terminus. These results indicate that the mechanism of formation of the [M + H ? 60]⁺ ion may be driven by a charge-remote process.     

Two Regioisomers of Endohedral Pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes M2@Ih‐C80(CH2)2NTrt (M=La,Ce; Trt=trityl): Control of Metal Atom Positions by Addition Positions

The two regioisomers of endohedral pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes M₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt (M=La, Ce; Trt=trityl) were synthesized, isolated, and characterized. X‐ray crystallographic analyses of [6,6]‐La₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt and [6,6]‐Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt revealed that the encapsulated metal atoms are located at the slantwise positions on the mirror plane that parallels the pyrrolidine ring. Paramagnetic NMR analyses of [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt were also carried out to clarify the metal positions. As for the [6,6]‐adduct, the metal positions obtained by paramagnetic NMR analysis agree well with the X‐ray structure. In contrast, paramagnetic NMR analysis of the [5,6]‐adduct showed that the two Ce atoms are collinear with the pyrrolidine ring. We also compared the observed paramagnetic effects of the pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes with those of other cerium‐encapsulating fullerene derivatives such as bis‐silylated Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀ and a carbene adduct of Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀. We found that the metal positions can be explained by the electrostatic potential maps of the corresponding [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐adducts of [I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt]^6?. These findings clearly show that metal positions inside fullerene cages can be controlled by means of the addition positions of the addends. In addition, the radical anions of the pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes were prepared by bulk controlled‐potential electrolysis and characterized by X‐band EPR spectral study.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of Phthalocyanine–[60]Fullerene Conjugates Connected Directly by Means of a Four‐Membered Ring

New covalently C₆₀‐conjugated phthalocyanine (Pc) analogues in which the Pc and C₆₀ components are connected by means of a four‐membered ring have been synthesized by taking advantage of a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of C₆₀ with benzyne units generated from either a phthalocyanine derivative ( 8 ) or its precursor ( 1 ). The reaction of 1 with PhI(OAc)₂ and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) followed by the [2+2] cycloaddition of C₆₀ in the presence of tetra‐n‐butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) yielded the C₆₀‐substituted Pc precursor ( 3 ). Mixed condensation of 3 and 4,5‐dibutylsulfonylphthalonitrile ( 4 ) in a thermally promoted template reaction using a nickel salt successfully gave the Pc–C₆₀ conjugate ( 5 ). Results of mass spectrometry and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy clearly indicate the formation of the anticipated Pc–C₆₀ conjugate. Direct coupling of C₆₀ with the Pc analogue that contained eight peripheral trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups ( 8 ) also proceeded successfully, such that mono and bis C₆₀‐adducts were detected by their mass, although the isolation of each derivative was difficult. The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of 5 and the reference compound ( 7 ) differ from each other in the Q‐band region, thereby suggesting that the presence of the C₆₀ moiety affects the electronic structure of the conjugate. The reduction and oxidation potentials of 5 and 7 obtained by cyclic voltammetry are comparative, except for the C₆₀‐centered reduction couple at ?1.53 V versus Fc⁺/Fc in o‐dichlorobenzene (o‐DCB). A one‐electron reduction of 5 and 7 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) by using the sodium mirror technique results in the loss of band intensity in the Q‐band region, whereas the characteristic marker bands for Pc‐ring‐centered reduction appear at around 430, 600, and 900 nm for both compounds. The final spectral shapes of 5 and 7 upon the reduction resemble each other, thus indicating that no significant molecular orbital (MO) interactions between the C₆₀ and Pc units are present for the reduced species of 5 . In contrast, the oxidized species of 5 and 7 generated by the addition of NOBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂ show significantly different absorption spectra from each other. Whereas the broad bands at approximately 400–550 nm of 7 ⁺ are indicative of the cationic π‐radical species of metallo‐Pcs and can be assigned to a transition from a low‐lying MO to the half‐filled MO, no corresponding bands were observed for 5 ⁺. These spectral characteristics have been tentatively assigned to the delocalized occupied frontier MOs for 5 ⁺. The experimental results are broadly supported by DFT calculations.     

The Orthogonal (e,e,e)‐Tris‐Adduct of 9,10‐Dimethylanthracene with C60‐Fullerene: A Hidden Cornerstone of Fullerene Chemistry. Preliminary Communication

Tris(9′,10′‐dimethyl[9,10]ethanoanthracene[11′,12′: 1,9;11″,12″: 16,17;11′′′,12′′′: 30,31])[5,6]fullerene C₆₀, the orthogonal (e,e,e)‐tris‐adduct of C₆₀ and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene, was obtained from [4+2]‐cycloaddition (Diels–Alder reaction) at room temperature. The thermally unstable orange red (e,e,e)‐tris‐adduct was purified by chromatography and was isolated in the form of red monoclinic crystals. Its C₃‐symmetric addition pattern was established spectroscopically. Its structure could be further investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The (e,e,e)‐tris‐adduct of C₆₀ and 9,10‐dimethylanthracene has earlier been suggested as intermediate and reversibly formed critical component in ‘template directed’ addition reactions of C₆₀. This previously elusive compound has now been isolated and structurally characterized.