Controlling Polyadditions to Fullerenes

Significance

Fullerene chemistry has been complicated by the formation of multiple adducts. Simple polyaddition reactions to form specific structures similar to C₆₀Ar₄H are common. However, adding eight or ten carbon nucleophiles to fullerenes generally produces complex mixtures. In this contribution new conditions with a coordinating additive (pyridine or other coordinating ligand) produce the molecules shown in useful quantities. C ₆₀ is an important starting material to non-planar aromatics and these addition chemistries produce luminescent materials with quantum yields that are among the highest obtained from fullerenes.