Synthesis of Arylvinyl‐Substituted Fulleropyrrolidines: Novel Reaction of [60]Fullerene with Cinnamaldehydes and Amines

Abstract A simple one‐step reaction of [60]fullerene with cinnamaldehydes and primary/secondary amines without the addition of any inorganic salts afforded rare arylvinyl‐substituted fulleropyrrolidines in moderate to good yields with high stereoselectivity. Secondary amines produced N ‐alkyl‐2/5‐arylvinyl fulleropyrrolidines with a preference of trans isomers as major products, while primary amines exclusively gave 2‐aryl‐5‐arylvinyl fulleropyrrolidines as cis isomers. A plausible formation mechanism for fulleropyrrolidines was proposed to elucidate the above reaction process.