Water-soluble fluorescent fullerene derivative, and preparation method thereof

Abstract

A simple and easy method is described for preparing a water-soluble fluorescent fullerene derivative with strong fluorescence and hydrophilicity, by mixing fullerene and a ligand containing a terminal hydroxyl group in a first solvent and reacting the mixture in the presence of a catalyst. Such preparation method enables the intensity and wavelength of fluorescence to be easily controlled depending on the amount of fullerene and the type of catalyst that are utilized. The prepared fluorescent fullerene derivative contains a biocompatible ligand, and thus is useful as a biological fluorescent dye. As a result of its fluorescence and excellent solubility in solvent, the fluorescent fullerene derivative is useful in biological, medical, nanotechnology, and other fields.

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