The molecular encapsulation of functionalized fullerenes (substituted fulleropyrrolidines) with water-soluble calixarenes was studied by photoluminescence and quantum-chemical methods. The results show that both the thiacalix[4]arene-tetrasulfonate and calix[6]arene-hexasulfonate are able to overcome the natural water-repulsive character of fullerenes. However, the functionalization of calixarenes and fullerenes induces significant changes in the molecular encapsulation processes, and the obtained thermodynamic behavior of the complex formation highlights the importance of the entropy. Our results can contribute to the development of the synthesis and design of functionalized calixarenes supporting their application in pharmaceutical and food chemistry.
Effect of covalent functionalization of C60 fullerene on its encapsulation by water soluble calixarenes
VASAPOLLO, Giuseppe;MELE, Giuseppe Agostino;LONGO, Luigia;
2008-01-01
Abstract
The molecular encapsulation of functionalized fullerenes (substituted fulleropyrrolidines) with water-soluble calixarenes was studied by photoluminescence and quantum-chemical methods. The results show that both the thiacalix[4]arene-tetrasulfonate and calix[6]arene-hexasulfonate are able to overcome the natural water-repulsive character of fullerenes. However, the functionalization of calixarenes and fullerenes induces significant changes in the molecular encapsulation processes, and the obtained thermodynamic behavior of the complex formation highlights the importance of the entropy. Our results can contribute to the development of the synthesis and design of functionalized calixarenes supporting their application in pharmaceutical and food chemistry.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.