The chemical retro-Bingel reaction: selective removal of bis(alkoxycarbonyl)methano addends from C60 and C70 with amalgamated magnesium

Abstract

Bis(alkoxycarbonyl)methano addends are removed from C60 and C70 derivatives by reaction with amalgamated magnesium in dry THF; this facile and selective retro-Bingel reaction, which leaves pyrrolidine rings fused to C60 intact, opens up the possibility of using bis(alkoxycarbonyl)methano addends as protecting and reversible directing groups in the regioselective multiple functionalization of fullerenes.