Rate constants of highly hydroxylated fullerene C₆₀ interacting with hydroxyl radicals and hydrated electrons. Pulse radiolysis study

Pulse radiolysis was applied to investigate the reaction of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ with ^●OH radicals or hydrated electrons (e_aq⁻). The second-order rate constants for the reactions between fullerenol and ^●OH radicals (2×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) or hydrated electrons (2.5×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) were determined. The most probable mechanism of the reaction of ^●OH with fullerenol was via the formation of a π-complex that could dissociate to reform the reactants in competition with the rearrangement to the σ-complex. The large number of hydroxyl groups attached to the fullerenol carbon cage did not result in any significant change in the rate constant for the reaction of fullerenol with hydroxyl radicals or e_aq⁻. - Highlights: • The rate constants of the reaction of fullerenol with ^●OH or e_aq⁻ were determined. • The rate constant for the reaction of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ with ^●OH is 2.0×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. • The rate constant for the reaction of C₆₀(OH)₃₆ with e_aq⁻ is 2.5×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. • The reaction of ^●OH with fullerenol was via the formation of a π-complex