Methanofullerene Synthesis Via Photogenerated Fullerene Radical Anion Intermediates

This work describes the synthesis of PCBM ([6,6]-phenyl-C-61-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.