Computational insights into Diels–Alder reactions of paramagnetic endohedral metallofullerenes: M@C82 (M = Sc, Y, La) and La@C72

Abstract

In fullerene chemistry, Diels–Alder cycloaddition is an essential reaction for exohedral modification of carbon cages. M@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ (M = Sc, Y, and La), incorporating one metal atom within the fullerene cage, are key compounds for understanding the impact of both endohedral and exohedral modifications on their electronic structures. In this work, the Diels–Alder (DA) cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene (Cp) to M@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ (M = Sc, Y, and La) and La@C₂(10612)-C₇₂ was systematically studied using density functional theory. The most reactive bonds were initially chosen for detailed mechanistic exploration, considering both concerted and stepwise mechanisms. Our findings revealed that DA cycloadditions for the three metals (Sc, Y, and La) consistently exhibit the same regioselectivity, favoring the concerted attack on the [5,6] bond. This observation is in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies on the regioselectivity of the Diels–Alder reaction between La@C_2v(9)-C₈₂ and Cp. In the case of La@C₂(10612)-C₇₂, the most favored pathway is the concerted attack on the [6,6] bond both kinetically and thermodynamically. In toluene and ortho-dichlorobenzene, while the energy barriers and the reaction free energies increased to different extents for most pathways, the regioselectivity largely mirrored that observed in the gas phase.