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Invention Summary:
Fullerenes, an allotrope of carbon, are polyhedral closed cages. Fullerenes are able to host additional atoms within their inner spheres. Fullerenes hosting electropositive metals (e.g. Sc, Gd, La), known as endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), are especially interesting as the encapsulated metals provide additional properties such as high proton relaxivity for use as MRI contrast agents or interesting reactivity.
Rutgers researchers are developing a suite of chemical transformations to functionalize fullerenes (and EMFs) and incorporate them into value-added materials. Various fullerene derivatives can be targeted, incorporating 6 independently tunable groups that can include: solubilizing groups, labels (fluorescent, radioactive, other imaging labels), nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), proteins (including enzymes), small molecules, diagnostic agents, oligosaccharides, etc. This arsenal of chemical tools provides access to well-defined, soluble, multi-functional materials.
Market Applications:
Advantages:
Publication: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202211704
Intellectual Property & Development Status: A provisional patent application was filed, and the patent is pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact: marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu
