Synthesis and characterization of fullerols C₆₀(OH)_n : 3D models

Models made with Chem3D Ultra, Version 9.0.1 (CambridgeSoft).

Singlet molecular oxygen (¹D_g) is known to be a very reactive chemical intermediate in photo-oxygenation reactions. In living cells, ¹D_g reacts with numerous biomolecular targets such as nucleic acids, amino acids, lipids, sulfur-containing compounds, and other oxidizable species. The intentional photosensitization of singlet oxygen has found numerous applications in fields ranging from photochemistry and polymer science to biology and medecine. In particular, light-induced generaiton of ¹D_g has found medical applications in low-invasive and selective eradication of tumours, which is called photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Hydroxylated C₆₀, also called fullerols, are a class of water-soluble fullerenes. We studied the ability of fullerols to generate, in presence of visible light, singlet oxygen in aqueous media, and especially in living cells. We synthesized them through the oxidation of C₆₀ in highly acidic conditions. Here are shown the models of C₆₀(OH)_n for different values of n. Some others photosensitizers are also presented here.

HYDROXYLATED C₆₀(OH)_n :