Methanofullerene Synthesis via Photogenerated Fullerene Radical Anion Intermediates.

This work describes the synthesis of PCBM ([6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester) derivatives and other methanofullerene derivatives via generation of fullerene radical anions under photoirradiation and controlled by photoswitching, without preparation, a strong reducing agent, or precise control of the reaction conditions.