Study on the thermal reactions of [60]fullerene with amino acids and amino acid esters

Abstract

Thermal reactions of [60]fullerene with a series of amino acids and amino acid esters under aerobic and dark conditions have been investigated. Fulleropyrrolidines can be obtained from these reactions although an aldehyde is not added purposely. Possible reaction mechanisms involving uncommon C–N bond cleavages have been proposed to generate aldehydes, which then react with amino acids and amino acid esters to provide azomethine ylides, followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to [60]fullerene affording fulleropyrrolidines. Control experiments support our proposed mechanisms, and elucidate the innate nature of C–N bond cleavages of amino acids and amino acid esters.