Synthesis, Characterization, and Nucleotidic Chain Cleavage Ability of Uncharged Water Soluble Poly(ethylene glycol)-Fullerene Derivatives with an Amphiphilic Character

Water-soluble fullerenes containing two poly(ethylene glycol) branches [Full-(PEG)2] were prepared starting from commercial poly(ethylene glycol)-monomethyl ethers and C60 [Full-(PEG)2]s. Chemical characterization was made by FT-IR, NMR, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analyses. Their thermal stability was determined by TGA experiments. The capability of C60-derivatives to induce oligonucleotide cleavage under visible light irradiation was also ascertained.