Highly Selective and Simple Synthesis of C2m−X−C2n Fullerene Dimers

Advances in supramolecularly assembled nanostructures of fullerenes and porphyrins at surfaces

The ‘bottom-up’ strategy is an attractive and promising approach for the construction of nanoarchitectures. Supramolecular assemblies based on non-covalent interactions have been explored in an attempt to control surface properties. In this minireview, we focus on advances made in the past three years in the field of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on supramolecular assembly and the function of porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and fullerenes, non-covalently bound on metal single crystal surfaces. Well-defined adlayers, consisting of porphyrin and phthalocyanine for the design of supramolecular nanoarchitectures, supramolecular traps of C 60 on hydrogen bond networks, a unique approach for controlling molecular orientation by a 1:1 supramolecularly assembled film consisting of C 60 and the related derivatives and metallooctaethylporphyrins, and nanoapplications of fullerenes, either induced by tip manipulation or driven by thermal fluctuations at surfaces, were clearly visualized by STM.

Epigenetic modulation of human breast cancer by metallofullerenol nanoparticles: in vivo treatment and in vitro analysis

Multi-hydroxylated endohedral metallofullerenol [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles possess the general physico-chemical characteristics of most nanoparticles. They also exhibit uniquely low toxicity and antineoplastic efficacy. In the current study, the molecular mechanisms and epigenetic characteristics of the antineoplastic action of these nanoparticles are explored. Human breast cancer MCF-7 and human umbilical vein endothelial ECV304 cell lines were used. Cell viability assay, cell hierarchical cluster analysis by cDNA microarray, semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were conducted to investigate the changes in molecular and cellular signaling pathways caused by [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n). The results demonstrated the high antitumor activity and low cytotoxicity of [Gd@C(82)(OH)(22)](n) nanoparticles both in vivo and in vitro. Their possible anti-tumor mechanisms were also discussed. The present study may provide new insight into the mechanism of action of these nanoparticles.

Tuning electronic properties of metallic atom in bondage to a nanospace

The possibility of modulating the electronic configurations of the innermost atoms inside a nanospace, nano sheath with chemical modification was investigated using synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Systems of definite nanostructures were chosen for this study. Systematic variations in energy, intensity, and width of pi and sigma O 1s core level spectra, in absorption characteristics of C 1s-->pi transition, in photoabsorption of pre-edge and resonance regions of the Gd 4d-->4f transition, were observed for Gd@C(82) (an isolated nanospace for Gd), Gd@C(82)(OH)(12) (a modified nanospace for Gd), and Gd@C(82)(OH)(22) (a differently modified nanospace for Gd), and the reference materials Gd-DTPA (a semi-closed space for Gd) and Gd(2)O(3). A sandwich-type electronic interaction along [outer modification group]-[nano sheaths]-[inner metallic atom] was observed in the molecules of modifications. This makes it possible to control electron-donation directions, either from the innermost metallic atom toward the outer nano sheaths or the reverse. The results suggest that one may effectively tune the fine structures of electronic configurations of such a metallic atom being astricted into nanostructures through changing the number or category of outer groups of chemical modifications. This may open a door to realizing the desired designs for electronic and magnetic properties of functionalized nanomaterials.

Photochemical and Photophysical Properties of Three Carbon-Bridged Fullerene Dimers: C121 (I, II, III)

The photochemical and photophysical properties of the three C121 isomers (I, II, III) were investigated with MADLI-TOF-MS, UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra of their DMA complexes, and theoretical calculations. The three isomers of C121 (I, II, III) have different stabilities under laser irradiation, but isomer I and isomer II show good stability against the heat-induced conversion between different isomers: No conversion between the isomers was found after heating the mixture of isomer I and isomer II at 353 K for 12 h in Ar atmosphere. The results of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra indicate that interactions between two C60 moieties of C60=C=C60 in the ground and singlet states are not significant, C121 (I, II, III) behaves as an electron-acceptor similar to C60. These indicate that the formation of the fullerene chain structure (e.g., C60=C=C60) does not disturb the photochemical and photophysical properties of the C60 monomer itself, even that the properties were enhanced by the formation of the polymer. This is significant for the C60 polymer in photochemical or photoelectronic applications in which C60=C=C60 can be an excellent basic unit of polymers.

Epitaxial supramolecular assembly of fullerenes formed by using a coronene template on a Au(111) surface in solution

Characteristic properties of the coronene layer formed on Au(111) for the epitaxial growth of various fullerenes are described. The electrochemical behavior of the coronene adlayer prepared by immersing a Au(111) substrate into a benzene solution containing coronene was investigated in 0.1 M HClO4. The as-prepared coronene adlayer on Au(111) revealed a well-defined (4 x 4) structure. Structural changes of the array of coronene molecules induced by potential manipulation were clearly observed by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Supramolecularly assembled layers of fullerenes such as C60, C70, C60-C60 dumbbell dimer (C120), C60-C70 cross-dimer (C130), and C60 triangle trimer (C180) were formed on the well-defined coronene adlayer on the Au(111) surface by immersing the coronene-adsorbed Au(111) substrate into benzene solutions containing those molecules. The adlayers thus prepared were characterized by comparison with those which were directly attached to the Au(111) surface. The C60 molecules formed a honeycomb array with an internal structure in each C60 cage on the coronene adlayer, whereas C70 molecules were one-dimensionally arranged with the same orientations. The dimers, C120 and C130 molecules, formed an identical structure with c(11 x 4 radical3)rect symmetry. For the C130 cross-dimer molecule, C60 and C70 cages were clearly recognized at the molecular level. It was difficult to identify the adlayer of the C180 molecule directly attached to Au(111); however, individual C180 molecules could be recognized on the coronene-modified Au(111) surface. Thus, the adlayer structures of those fullerenes were strongly influenced by the underlying coronene adlayer, suggesting that the insertion of a coronene adlayer plays an important role in the formation of supramolecular assemblies of fullerenes.

Theoretical Study of Unsymmetrical Bisfullerene and Its Derivatives: C131, C129BN, and C130Si

Unsymmetrical bisfullerene C(131) and its derivatives such as C(129)BN and C(130)Si are systematically investigated by semiempirical and density functional theory approaches. In comparison with the experimental data, calculated IR and NMR results reveal that both C(131)(H) and C(131)(P) isomers are possible compounds to coexist in the synthesized product. The C/Si and CC/BN substitution can change the electronic properties and reactivities compared with the pristine C(131)(H) and C(131)(P), respectively.

Facile and potent synthesis of carbon bridged fullerene dimers (HC60–CR2–C60H type)

Novel carbon bridged fullerene dimers (HC60-CR2-C60H type) are obtained in high yield by the reaction of aminomethylenebis(phosphonate) anions with [60]fullerene.

Theoretical studies of structures and stabilities of a new odd-numbered fullerene dimer: C141

The possible isomers of a newly synthesized C(141) molecule are calculated using MNDO, AM1, PM3, B3LYP/3-21G, and B3LYP/6-31G(d) methods. The geometry optimizations showed that the isomer 8-8 has the lowest total energy in all 64 possible structures of C(141). Unlike those of C(130), C(140), etc., the C(141) 8-8 shows a new structure: two C(70) side cages open [6.6] ring junctions located at the equator (instead of cap) area to create new chemical bonds for the bridge atom. Theoretical measurements of the average length of the long and short axes of C(70) side cages in the C(141) molecule reveal that when two C(70) cages are connected with each other at the equators, their geometric shapes become more spherical compared with the pristine C(70); this leads to a reduction of the molecular polarizability. Analysis of the local and global strain indicates that the global strain of C(70) monomer in the C(141) 8-8 is greatly reduced compared to the pristine C(70). The stable C(70) derivatives that are formed with reacted C-C bonds in the equator area may put new insights into fullerene chemistry, in particular, for C(70) to react with a large molecule. The results are discussed together with the experimental data.