title: Approaches to open fullerenes: a 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaadduct of C60.
abstract: Complete saturation of a single six-membered ring on fullerene C60 has been achieved. The critical step in this first synthesis of a fully characterized 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaadduct consisted of a remarkable double 5-exo-trig addition of alkoxyl radicals promoted by lead tetraacetate. Two possible opening pathways ([2 + 2 + 2] retrocycloadditions) for the newly synthesized compound were explored using quantum mechanical calculations. We found that the oxa bridges in the hexaadduct prevent ring opening through the retro[2 + 2 + 2] mechanism due to the high activation barrier and endothermicity of the reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, USA.
authors.forename: Shih-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Fernando R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Clemente
authors.forename: Saeed I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Houk
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rubin