Enantioselective Cycloaddition Of Munchnones Onto [60]Fullerene: Organocatalysis Versus Metal Catalysis

Novel chiral catalytic systems based on both organic compounds and metal salts have been developed for the enantioselective [3 + 2] cycloaddition of munchnones onto fullerenes and olefins. These two different approaches proved to be efficient and complementary in the synthesis of optically active pyrrolino[3,4:1,2] [60]fullerenes with high levels of enantiomeric excess and moderate to good conversions. Further functionalization of the pyrrolinofullerene carboxylic acid derivatives has been carried out by esterification and amidation reactions.