Palladium-catalyzed and hybrid acids-assisted synthesis of [60]fulleroazepines in one pot under mild conditions: Annulation of N-sulfonyl-2-aminobiaryls with [60]fullerene through sequential C-H bond activation, C-C and C-N bond formation

An extraordinarily efficient hybrid acids-assisted, palladium-catalyzed and chelating-group-assisted C-H bond activation of N-sulfonyl-2-aminobiaryls and their annulations with [60]fullerene via sequential C-C and C-N bond formation at room temperature to afford [60]fulleroazepines is demonstrated. The formation of [60]fulleroazepines is highly regioselective and tolerant to both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups on the aryl moiety and the reaction gives monofunctionalized fullerenes in good yields (up to 54% isolated yield and 92% based on converted C ₆₀).