Fullerene-silica complexes for medical chemistry

A quantum-chemical study of the interaction of C60 fullerene with nanosized silica was performed. It was demonstrated that a fullerene molecule forms a weakly bound complex with a pyrogenic silica (Aerosil) particle only via the interaction with the silanediol groups of the hydroxyl covering on the particle. By contrast, a fullerene molecule is not bonded to an individual siloxane cycle, and, therefore, fullerosilica gel is formed due to the retention of fullerene molecules in pores of silica gel as a result cooperative action of the siloxane cycles comprising the pore. In both cases, the predicted medico-biological action of medicinal preparations is due to the radical-like and donor-acceptor characteristics of the C60 molecule.