Dirhodium(II) Tetraacetate-Mediated Decomposition of Ethyldiazoacetate and Ethyldiazomalonate in the Presence of Fullerene. A New Procedure for the Selective Synthesis of [6-6]-Closed Methanofullerenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1997-980

The reaction of C₆₀ fullerene with carboalkoxycarbenoids generated by Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed decomposition of α-diazoester precursors is reported. This reaction is the first example of a transition metal catalyzed carbenoid reaction with fullerene and represents a significative improvement in terms of reaction conditions, selectivity of the products obtained, and yields over previously reported methods.