Carbon 60: Vision for the Future

Abstract

Carbon 60, or C60 is one of the most interesting and potentially useful molecules discovered in recent decades. It has the potential to enhance the health of people and animals, extending longevity, while reducing the impact of pain and disease. We have not yet begun to realize the many opportunities to apply C60 to treat and prevent disease conditions in humans and animals. What is carbon 60?Carbon 60, also known as C60, C 60 , fullerene, buckminsterfullerene, and buckyballs, is composed entirely of carbon; 60 carbon atoms, bonded in the shape of a soccer ball. It was named in honor of Buckminster Fuller, the inventor of the geodesic dome, because it has a geodesic structure. This shape gives it many unique and potentially useful properties. The 60 carbon atoms are bonded with alternating double and single bonds: 30 double bonds and 20 single bonds in all. The structure created is made up of hexagons and pentagons, making it resilient and extremely strong. Unique properties of C60C60 has several unique properties that make it a powerful antioxidant, capable of neutralizing highly reactive free radical molecules. No other antioxidant molecule has these properties or can neutralize as many free radical molecules. •Small size (0.72 nm diameter)• Hydrophobicity (solubility in water 1.0 X 10 -11 gm/ml) • Ability to donate 24 electrons to neutralize unstable free radical molecules • Ability to absorb 6 protons to irreversibly neutralize unstable free radical molecules • No exhibited toxicity at any level tested -composed only of carbon C60-Macromolecule not nanomaterial C60 has been called a nanoparticle but it is actually a macromolecule. At 0.72 nanometers in diameter, it is below the defined size of a nanoparticle of 1 nanometer. That may be a matter of definition, however, it is meaningful that a free C60 molecule is not a finely divided solid particle, as is true of nanoparticles. The chem-Free radical molecules Free radical molecules are molecules that have an unpaired electron or proton (hydrogen atom) [1]. Stable molecules have electrons in pairs with opposite spin. A molecule with an unpaired electron is highly reactive and will react quickly with a neighboring