Monoalkylation of C₆₀ and C₇₀ with Zn and active alkyl bromides

We report a convenient and simple solution-phase electron-transfer reaction of C₆₀ with zinc and α-bromoacetonitrile, α-bromo acetate esters, allyl bromide, benzyl bromide and α-bromo ketones in DMF, with which different types of monoalkylated C₆₀ derivatives can be prepared. When this method is employed with C₇₀, 2-carbomethoxymethyl-1,2-dihydro[70]fullerene (isomer 5a) is produced as one of the two 1,2-monoalkylated C₇₀ isomers, together with the first 5,6-monoalkylated C₇₀ derivative.