Fullerene lipids: synthesis of C60 fullerene derivatives bearing a long-chain saturated or unsaturated triester system.

Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane was successfully esterified with saturated and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. The resulting amino-triester intermediates were successively reacted with chloroacetyl chloride, sodium azide, and C60 fullerene. Spectral evidence showed that the aziridine ring is joined to the junction of 16,6]-fused rings of the fullerene. The structures of the various C60 fullerene derivatives bearing a long-chain saturated or unsaturated triester system were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods.