Chapter 5 - Implications of caged molecular structure of buckminster fullerenes in food sciences and industry applications

Abstract

In the years between 1975 and 1978, radioastronomers made the unexpected discovery of the long-chained polyynylcyanides HC5N, HC7N, and HC9N in the chilly, black clouds of interstellar space. Research into their origins led scientists to conclude that they were being expelled from red giant carbon stars. Carbon cluster tests conducted in 1985 to mimic the chemistry of these stars verified their status as possible origins. During these cluster experiments, a laser focused on a graphite target created chaotic plasma, which led to the accidental discovery of C60, a stable pure-carbon species. The allotropes of carbon known as fullerenes are being studied as a potential new class of compounds. This material’s carbon cage structure is hollow, setting it apart from diamond and graphite. The geodesic domes designed by famed architect Buckminster Fuller inspired the development of C60 spheroidal cage constructions. Under the same conditions, fullerenes may be synthesized from low-ash Illinois coal (IBC 108), with yields on par with those achieved from graphite. Fullerenes have interesting biological applications despite their limited solubility in physiological conditions. C60 and other fullerene compounds have useful medicinal uses due to their optical, electrochemical, and physical characteristics. Fullerenes are a promising inhibitor for substrates at the catalytic active site of HIV proteases because they can enter the hydrophobic cavity of these proteases. It can neutralize free radicals and act as an antioxidant. Light exposure also causes significant quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation, which, in combination with direct electron transfer between the excited states of fullerenes and DNA bases, can lead to DNA cleavage. Fullerenes are also employed in the delivery of genes and pharmaceuticals. Fullerenes’ low toxicity alone is enough to pique the interest of scientists, who want to learn more about these intriguing chemicals.