Synthesis of the phosphino-fullerene PPh2(o-C6H4)(CH2NMeCH)C60 and its function as an η1-P or η3-P,C2 ligand.

Following the method of Prato et al., reaction of C(60), N-methylglycine and o-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde affords PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))(CH(2)NMeCH)C(60) (1) in moderate yield. Compound 1 reacts with W(CO)(4)(NCMe)(2) to produce W(CO)(4)(η(3)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))(CH(2)NMeCH)C(60)) (2), through coordination of the phosphine group and one 6 : 6-ring junction of fullerene.