Probing the spatial requirements for [60]fullerene–[60]fullerene π-stacking and the syn addition of [60]fullerenes across acenes

The reaction between 2 equiv of [60]fullerene and 6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene-7,16-quinone leads to both cis and trans-bis[60]fullerene adducts. This result contrasts sharply with the highly diastereoselective syn additions of [60]fullerenes across 6,13-diphenylpentacene and 6,8,15,17-tetraphenylheptacene. The importance of spatially dependent [60]fullerene–[60]fullerene π-stacking interactions in promoting a syn addition of [60]fullerenes is discussed.