Reactions of [60]fullerene with alkynes promoted by OH−

In the current work, the reactions of [60]fullerene with alkynes promoted by OH^- (base) are addressed. The treatment of C₆₀ with alkynes in the presence of TBAOH produces alkynylation products (R-C₆₀-H) with high selectivity in o-DCB at 100 °C. Plausible reaction mechanisms were proposed. This work provides a convenient and environmental friendly method for the functionalization of fullerenes.