Fullerenes for catalysis: metallofullerenes in hydrogen transfer reactions

Abstract

[60]Fullerene hybrids have successfully been used as catalysts in hydrogen transfer reactions, namely ketone reduction and N-alkylation with alcohols. Due to their poor solubility in polar solvents, these hybrids behave as homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts that can be mechanically separated and reused several times while the final products do not need chromatographic separation.