Fullerene as Photocatalyst: Visible-Light Induced Reaction of Perfluorinated α,ω-Diiodoalkanes with C₆₀

Abstract

Solution phase photochemical reaction of fullerene with perfluorinated alkyldiiodides I-R-I can be efficiently initiated by visible range irradiation that targets solely the fullerene component. Photoinduced electron transfer from fullerene onto the diiodide component effects dissociative formation of alkyl radicals RI subsequently consumed by C to give the principal detectable radical intermediate CRI. Experimentally established second-order kinetics with respect to the fullerene concentration evidence that fullerene plays its two roles of photocatalyst and reactant in a decoupled fashion, which suggests its catalytic ability to be of potential use in more complex photochemical systems. The main final product of the photochemical transformation observed is the singly linked dimer of the intermediates, I-R-C-C-R-I. Side reactions of CRI with the environment lead to quenching of the unpaired electron density by ortho- or para- attachment of hydrogen or iodine. The outlined kinetic findings are discussed in detail.

The Study of the Optical Properties of C60 Fullerene in Different Organic Solvents

“…Due to its unique optical properties, C 60 is used in various applications, including solar cells [38,39], light to electrical energy converters in photovoltaic devices [40][41][42][43][44], photocatalysts [45][46][47][48][49], phototherapy [50,51], bioimaging [52,53], and biosensing [54][55][56]. C 60 possibly exhibits the optical response depending on the changing of the environment; however, the relevant studies on this sensitive response are still limited.…”

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Catalytic Wastewater Treatment: A Review

“…Of the different forms of fullerenes, such as C60, C70, C76, C82, and C84, only C60 and C70 have been intensively studied. The band gap energy (Eg) of fullerene’s material is around 1.5 to 1.9 eV between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Single-photon oxidation of C60 by self-sensitized singlet oxygen

“…Buckminsterfullerene (C 60 ), the most abundant fullerene as well as the most symmetric molecule in nature, has been studied extensively since its discovery in 1985 1 . Among the outstanding properties of C 60 are ability to accept up to six electrons, high intersystem crossing (ISC) quantum yield, and long-lived triplet states 2 , which have stimulated a thriving research effort for applications in photovoltaics 3 , photocatalysis 4 , and molecular probes 5 . Additionally, the latter two attributes make C 60 an efficient singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) sensitizer, particularly promising for photodynamic therapy and environmental remediation 6 – 8 .…”