Two-fold enhancement of equatorial bis-PCBM-C₆₀ adducts using a supramolecular mask

Regioselective poly-functionalization of fullerenes is highly desired to boost the applicability of pure-isomer poly-adducts. Here, we show how the supramolecular nanocapsule 1·(BArF)₈ acts as a supramolecular mask and provides a two-fold enhancement up to 56% of equatorial e,e-bis-PCBM-C₆₀ adducts using semi-stabilised sulfur ylides as reagents. This strategy conforms to a rapid and straightforward methodology in comparison to the reported tedious multi-stage and multicolumn HPLC process in peak-recycling mode.