M 6 L 12 Nanospheres with Multiple C 70 Binding Sites for 1 O 2 Formation in Organic and Aqueous Media.

Singlet oxygen is a potent oxidant with major applications in organic synthesis and medicinal treatment. An efficient way to produce singlet oxygen is the photochemical generation by fullerenes which exhibit ideal thermal and photochemical stability. In this contribution we describe readily accessible M ₆ L ₁₂ nanospheres with unique binding sites for fullerenes located at the windows of the nanospheres. Up to four C ₇₀ can be associated with a single nanosphere, presenting an efficient method for fullerene extraction and application. Depending on the functionality located on the outside of the sphere, they act as vehicles for ¹ O ₂ generation in organic or in aqueous media using white LED light. Excellent productivity in ¹ O ₂ generation and consecutive oxidation of ¹ O ₂ acceptors using C ₇₀ ⊂[Pd ₆ L ₁₂ ], C ₆₀ ⊂[Pd ₆ L ₁₂ ] or fullerene soot extract was observed. The methodological design principles allow preparation and application of highly effective multifullerene binding spheres.