Micelle vs. vesicle formation controlled by distal functionalization of C-PEG conjugates.

An amphiphilic C-PEG conjugate was modified by the addition of cationic moieties in the hydrophobic C part to provide the related bis- and tris-adducts and their self-assembling structures were compared. All of these materials were water-soluble and their supramolecular structures were investigated in the aqueous phase using tensiometry, DLS, and STEM techniques. While mono- and bis-adducts formed micelle-type supramolecular structures, the tris-one with two additional cationic pyrrolidine groups showed the formation of larger particles as indicated by DLS data.

C70 as a Photocatalyst for Oxidation of Secondary Benzylamines to Imines.

Photosensitive C70 was used for the catalytic oxidation of benzylamines to the corresponding imines. The advantages of using C70 compared to C60 or other commonly used photosensitizers such as tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) are (1) faster reaction rates, especially under lower energy of light sources, (2) clean reactions with simple workup without chromatography, and (3) lower catalyst loadings. The reactions were suitable for various benzylamine derivatives.