Photochemical Addition of Ethers to C60: Synthesis of the Simplest [60]Fullerene/Crown Ether Conjugates

Easy crowning for [60]fullerene: The simplest and hitherto elusive C60/crown ether conjugates have been prepared through an effective free-radical approach. This approach includes the activation of the otherwise unreactive α-CH bond in a series of structurally diverse mono- or polyethers and sulfides. This facile method provides an expedient entry into a novel class of fullerene-based materials.