Synthesis of fullerene glycoconjugates through sulfide connection in aqueous media.

[reaction: see text] A thiolate/alkyl halide coupling reaction in aqueous media provides a one-step synthesis of fullerene glycoconjugates bearing five carbohydrate groups in good yield by using stoichiometric amounts of reactants, without recourse to hydroxy group protection. The sulfide-connection methodology is also useful for synthesis of simpler amphiphilic fullerene molecules, such as one bearing five carboxylic acid groups.