Synthesis of (MeO)2Bn2C70: Regiochemistry of 2‑fold Additions to C70 with Addends That Are Preferential for Ortho Addition and Capable of Para Addition

Three C70 tetraadducts, 2,10-(MeO)2-5,9-Bn2C70 (6), 1,56-Bn2-2,57-(MeO)2C70 (7, 2 o’clock isomer), and 1,41-Bn2-2,58-(MeO)2C70 (8, 12 o’clock isomer), were obtained from the reaction of C70 with MeO– and BnBr (benzyl bromide). The structures of 6–8 were resolved via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic characterizations. Computational calculations on the electrophilic Fukui functions fk+, the stability of reaction intermediates, and activation barriers for the key processes of the reaction were performed to rationalize the regioselectivity of the reaction. A conversion of the 5 and 12 o’clock intermediates to the 2 o’clock intermediate was proposed to account for the regioselectivity related to the 2-fold additions at the two distinctive polar regions of C70. Electrochemical study showed a similar electron deficiency for the 2 and 12 o’clock isomers, while the 2,5,9,10-tetraadduct was more electron deficient with respect to the 2 and 12 o’clock isomers.