Diazonium Functionalized Fullerenes: A New Class of Efficient Molecular Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Considerable efforts are being made to find cheaper and more efficient alternatives to the currently commercially available catalysts based on precious metals for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). In this...

Effects of Functionalized Fullerenes on ROS Homeostasis Determine Their Cytoprotective or Cytotoxic Properties

Background: Functionalized fullerenes (FF) can be considered regulators of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis; their direct oxidative damage—as well as regulation of oxidant enzymes and signaling pathways—should be considered. Methods: Uptake of two water-soluble functionalized C70 fullerenes with different types of aromatic addends (ethylphenylmalonate and thienylacetate) in human fetal lung fibroblasts, intracellular ROS visualization, superoxide scavenging potential, NOX4 expression, NRF2 expression, oxidative DNA damage, repair genes, cell proliferation and cell cycle were studied. Results & conclusion: The intracellular effects of ethylphenylmalonate C70 derivative (FF1) can be explained in terms of upregulated NOX4 activity. The intracellular effects of thienylacetate C70 derivative (FF2) can be probably resulted from its superoxide scavenging potential and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. FF1 can be considered a NOX4 upregulator and potential cytotoxicant and FF2, as a superoxide scavenger and a potential cytoprotector.

Non-Functionalized Fullerenes and Endofullerenes in Aqueous Dispersions as Superoxide Scavengers

Endohedral metal fullerene are potential nanopharmaceuticals for MRI; thus, it is important to study their effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. Superoxide anion radical is one of the key ROS. The reactivity of aqueous dispersions of pristine (non-functionalized) fullerenes and Gd@C82 endofullerene have been studied with respect to superoxide in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase chemiluminescence system. It was found that C60 and C70 in aqueous dispersions react with superoxide as scavengers by a similar mechanism; differences in activity are determined by cluster parameters, primarily the concentration of available, acting molecules at the surface. Gd endofullerene is characterized by a significantly (one-and-a-half to two orders of magnitude) higher reactivity with respect to C60 and C70 and is likely to exhibit nanozyme (SOD-mimic) properties, which can be accounted for by the nonuniform distribution of electron density of the fullerene cage due to the presence of the endohedral atom; however, in the cell model, Gd@C82 showed the lowest activity compared to C60 and C70, which can be accounted for by its higher affinity for the lipid phase.

Analytical and preparative separation and isolation of functionalized fullerenes by conventional HPLC stationary phases: method development and column screening

Isolation and purification of functionalized fullerenes from often complex reaction mixtures is challenging. Here, a simple and efficient HPLC method is presented.

The Application in the Sensitization of Titania : Zinc Porphyrin-Functionalized Fullerenes as a Visible-Light Active Photocatalyst

Zinc porphyrin-functionalized fullerene [C60] derivatives have been synthesized and usedto prepare titania-based composites. The electrochemical properties and HOMO andLUMO levels of the photosensitizers were determined by electrochemical measurements.Raman and IR techniques were used to study chemical groups present on the titaniasurface. Absorption properties of the composites were measured in the solid state bydiffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectra (DRS).