Anhydride-functionalized fullerene: a versatile precursor for fullerene-based materials

Soluble phthalic anhydride-functionalized fullerene was generated via simple pyrolysis of the corresponding di-t-butyl phthalate precursor at 200 °C for 120 min. This non-chemical method for generating electrophilic fullerene may be advantageous for the preparation of various fullerene-containing materials. The utility of the resulting fullerene anhydride was demonstrated by solution coupling reaction with PEG-amine, surface reaction with amine-functionalized glass, and hydrolysis reaction to form amphiphilic fullerene.