A retro Baeyer–Villiger reaction: electrochemical reduction of 60fullerene-fused lactones to 60fullerene-fused ketones

A highly efficient electrochemical reduction of 60fullerene-fused lactones to 60fullerene-fused ketones, a formal process of retro Baeyer-Villiger reaction, has been achieved for the first time. The electrochemically generated dianionic 60fullerene-fused lactones can be transformed into 60fullerene-fused ketones in the presence of acetic acid in 85-91% yields. Control experiments have been performed to elucidate the reaction mechanism. The products have been characterized with spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Moreover, the electrochemical properties have also been investigated.