Novel functionalizations of [60]fullerene-fused lactones

Reactions of [60]fullerene-fused lactones with methylmagnesium bromide and diisobutylaluminum hydride afforded rare fullerene hemiketals and hemiacetals, which were dehydrated by p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate or polyphosphonic acid to the corresponding [60]fullerene-fused dihydrofurans. Thus obtained alkyl-substituted and especially unsubstituted [60]fullerene-fused dihydrofurans are difficult to prepare by other methods. The unsubstituted [60]fullerene-fused lactone could react with aliphatic amines to give fullerols.