Unexpected reactions of [60]fullerene involving tertiary amines and insight into the reaction mechanisms

Thermal reactions of [60]fullerene with amino acid ester hydrochlorides and triethylamine in o-dichlorobenzene at reflux afforded pyrrolidinofullerene derivatives containing the CH,CH moiety and originating from triethylamine through an unusual C-N bond cleavage. Detailed investigation of these thermal reactions resulted in the discovery of unprecedented reactions between C-60 and tertiary amines and of reactions Of C-60 with tertiary amines and aldehydes, giving cyclopentafullerene derivatives with high stereoselectivity. Plausible reaction mechanisms for the product formation involving the uncommon C-N bond cleavage of tertiary amines were proposed on the basis of extensive experimental results.