| Abstract: | A series of fatty acid esters of glycerol as linseed, sunflower, soybean and olive oils have been tested as C60 fullerene solvents together with a mixture of methyl ester fatty acids derived from brassica oilseeds and used as a biofuel known as “biodiesel.” All the oils evaluated are effective solvents of C60. The solubility of C60 in the selected vegetable oils has been determined spectrophotometrically. The C60 solubility in vegetable oils may pave the way for easier application of C60 fullerene in medicinal chemistry and in additive chemistry for varnishes and fuels. It has been found that C60 is not only soluble in the fatty acid esters but is also reactive with them under mild conditions, giving addition products easily recognized by a characteristic absorption band at 435 nm. The addition reaction mechanism has been discussed. |
