Copper-Mediated Three-Component Synthesis of Diverse Perfluoroalkylated Fullerenes

Abstract

The synthesis of perfluoroalkylated fullerenes (PFAFs) holds significant importance due to their enhanced molecular stability, increased lipophilicity, and high electron affinity. Herein, we report a copper-catalyzed multicomponent reaction conducted under aerobic conditions, which enables the production of highly soluble PFAFs with half-wave reduction potentials similar to those of C₆₀. Furthermore, the challenges posed by C–F coupling in carbon signal assignment were addressed through fluorine-decoupled carbon spectroscopy, facilitating precise structural characterization of the perfluoroalkyl moieties.