Facile Synthesis of Methanofullerenes in an Aqueous Two-Phase System under Photoirradiation Conditions.

Methanofullerenes, such as [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester {[6,6]PC61BM (1a)}, were synthesized in good yields from the corresponding tosylhydrazones in an aqueous two-phase (o-dichlorobenzene-H2O) system under photoirradiation conditions. This simple and convenient procedure was adopted for the synthesis of thienyl analogues of PC61BM and its C70 analogue, PC71BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]