Sequential Copper-Catalyzed Alkyne–Azide Cycloaddition and Thiol-Maleimide Addition for the Synthesis of Photo- and/or Electroactive Fullerodendrimers and Cysteine-Functionalized Fullerene Derivatives

In this study, the functionalization of a fullerene building block in a stepwise process by means of the copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) and thiol-maleimide reactions is reported. Grafting of the fullerene platform with a variety of azido derivatives, including Bodipy, pyrene and ferrocene, was carried out first. These fullerene compounds were then reacted with thiol derivatives to yield sophisticated structures comprising photo- and/or electroactive fullerodendrimers and cysteine-functionalized fullerene assemblies. This strategy, which combines the CuAAC and thiol-maleimide processes, could become more widely adopted in the field of fullerene chemistry.