Activation of hydroxyl groups in fullerenol and its application in modification of proteins

The method of activating hydroxyls of fullerenols using 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium p-toluene sulphonate (FMP) to covalently linking with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and further its effect on BSA was studied. The fullerene was the material for the synthesis of fullerenols, tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide (TBAH) was phase-transfer solvent and NaOH was the catalyst in the synthesis of fullerenols. Triethylamine was used as catalyst for the activation of the hydroxyls of the fullerenol by FMP. The characterization of the fullerenols was carried out by UV adsorption and IR. The purification and examination of the modified product was carried out with gel filtration chromatography. The IR spectrum showed characteristic adsorption peaks of the hydroxyl, C = C, C-cycle, C - C and C - H in fullerenols. The BSA modified with fullerenols caused the increase in the intensity at 280 nm. The results suggested that the hydroxyls of the fullerenols could be activated by FMP and further used for the modification of BSA.