A Photocatalyst-Free, SET-Mediated Photochemical Approach for the Synthesis of Dumbbell-Like Amine-Functionalized Bis-C60 Fullerene through C–C Bond Formation

A novel method for the synthesis of dumbbell-like amine-functionalized bis-C60 fullerene from simple bis-α-silyl tertiary benzyl amines and C60 fullerene is described. The photoreactions between bis-α-silyl tertiary benzyl amines and C60 furnished single-bonded bis-aminomethyl-1,2-dihyrofullerenes and double-bonded 1,2,5-trisubstituted bis-fulleropyrrolidines through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of azomethine ylides under mild conditions.