Synthesis of fulleropyrrolidines through the reaction of [60]fullerene with quaternary ammonium salts and amino acids

The reactions of [60]fullerene with amino acids and quaternary ammonium salts in toluene afforded two fulleropyrrolidine derivatives. One fulleropyrrolidine derivative contained a RCH moiety originating from quaternary ammonium salts through C–N bond cleavages and other fulleropyrrolidine derivatives contained a PhCH moiety originating from toluene through C–H bond cleavage. By using chlorobenzene instead of toluene as solvent, only one fulleropyrrolidine derivative containing a RCH moiety was obtained in the reactions.