Retrocyclopropanation reactions of fullerenes: complete product analyses.

Mono- and bis-pyrene malonates 1 and 2 were synthesized and reacted with C(60) to prepare the corresponding Bingel adducts 3 and 4. These compounds were characterized electrochemically and exhibited the well-established retrocyclopropanation reaction when subjected to bulk electrolytic reductions. For the first time, it was possible to perform detailed product analyses after the retrocyclopropanation reactions, and these showed the presence of the original malonates 1 and 2 along with C(60), in reasonable yields, around 50%.