Fullerene-coated beads as reusable catalysts

New heterogeneous catalysts that use oxygen and light to generate singlet oxygen ((1)O2) have been prepared. The catalysts facilitate various types of singlet oxygenation reactions including the Ene reaction, the Diels-Alder reaction, and others. The catalysts are made by stirring a heterogeneous mixture of fullerene-C(60) (dissolved in toluene) with aminomethylated poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) beads. Also, catalysts for aqueous photooxidations are made by reacting the initial catalysts with poly(allylamine) to create an outer layer that is more hydrophilic.