Easy access to N-alkylation of N-unsubstituted [60]fulleropyrrolidines: reductive amination using sodium triacetoxyborohydride

Abstract [60]Fulleropyrrolidines were used as secondary amines to react with aldehydes through reductive aminations to afford N -alkylated derivatives. In spite of the very weak base activity of the nitrogen atom of N -unsubstituted [60]fulleropyrrolidines, this method was found to be efficient at the aid of sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Several N -alkylated derivatives were synthesized and fully characterized.