Porphyrin-based photosynthetic reaction centre (PRC) mimics, ZnPQ-Q2HP-C60 and MP2Q-Q2HP-C60 (M = Zn or 2H), designed to have a similar special-pair electron donor and similar charge-separation distances, redox processes and photochemical reaction rates to those in the natural PRC from purple bacteria, have been synthesised and extensive photochemical studies performed. Mechanisms of electron-t...

The extraordinary electrochemistry and the tunability of their energy levels allows the use of fulleropyrazolines in photovoltaics and charge-transfer systems. Here we show that substitution in position 1 tunes photolytic stability; electron-donating groups facilitate 1,3-dipolar cycloreversion to fullerene. This discovery has implications not only for photovoltaic stability but also highlights...

Fullerene C60 derivatives covalently linked to a nitroxide radical are studied by Time Resolved EPR. The interaction between radical and triplet or singlet excitation, localized on the fullerene moiety, gives rise to spin polarization of the radical EPR signal. The quartet state of the Radical Triplet Pair (RTP) is also observed by EPR. Electron transfer involving the excited fullerene triplet ...

Fullerene derivatives demonstrate considerable potential for numerous biological applications, such as the effective inhibition of HIV protease. Recently, they were identified for their ability to indiscriminately block biological ion channels. A fullerene derivative which specifically blocks a particular ion channel could lead to a new set of drug leads for the treatment of various ion channel...

As the use of carbon fullerene increases in the chemical industry, the concern over its biological and toxicological effects is also increasing. In this study, the suspension of carbon fullerene (C60) in phosphate buffered saline was prepared and toxicity was investigated using cultured RAW 264.7 and in intraperitoneally injected mice, respectively. The average size of carbon fullerene in the s...

Carbon atoms self-assemble into the famous soccer-ball shaped Buckminsterfullerene (C(60)), the smallest fullerene cage that obeys the isolated-pentagon rule (IPR). Carbon atoms self-assemble into larger (n > 60 vertices) empty cages as well-but only the few that obey the IPR-and at least 1 small fullerene (n <or= 60) with adjacent pentagons. Clathrin protein also self-assembles into small full...

The H1N1 influenza A virus, which originated in swine, caused a global pandemic in 2009, and the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has also caused epidemics in Southeast Asia in recent years. Thus, the threat from influenza A remains a serious global health issue, and novel drugs that target these viruses are highly desirable. Influenza A RNA polymerase consists of the PA, PB1, and P...

Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention due to their unique chemical structure and potential applications which has opened wide venues for possible human exposure to various fullerene types. Therefore, in depth knowledge of how fullerene may interfere with various cellular processes becomes quite imperative. The present study was designed to investigate how the presence of fullerene af...

The first T(d)-symmetric lutetium metallofullerene, Lu(2)@C(76), has been synthesized, isolated, and characterized. Because of the charge transfer from the encapsulated Lu atoms to the T(d)-C(76) fullerene cage, the otherwise unstable T(d)-C(76) fullerene can be significantly stabilized as a Lu(2)@C(76) fullerene. Both STM and STS results are consistent with a charge state of (Lu(2))(6+)@C(76)(...