Reaction of [60]fullerene with free radicals generated from active methylene compounds by manganese(III) acetate dihydrate.

The reaction of [60]fullerene with dimethyl malonate and diethyl malonate in the presence of manganese(III) acetate dihydrate (Mn(OAc)3.2H2O) for 20 min afforded singly bonded [60]fullerene dimers 1a and 1b in a 1,4-addition pattern. When the reaction time was extended to 1 h, 1,4-bisadducts 2a and 2b were obtained. Unsymmetrical 1,4-adduct 5 and C2 symmetrical 1,16-bisadduct 6 were obtained when diethyl bromomalonate was used as the active methylene compound. Reaction of [60]fullerene with malononitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate with the aid of Mn(OAc)3.2H2O produced methanofullerenes 7 and 8. It is proposed that all these products were formed the addition of free radicals from the active methylene compounds generated by Mn(OAc)3.2H2O.