Rate constants of highly hydroxylated fullerene C60 interacting with hydroxyl radicals and hydrated electrons. Pulse radiolysis study

•The rate constants of the reaction of fullerenol with ●OH or eaq− were determined.•The rate constant for the reaction of C60(OH)36 with ●OH is 2.0×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1.•The rate constant for the reaction of C60(OH)36 with eaq− is 2.5×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1.•The reaction of ●OH with fullerenol was via the formation of a π-complex.

Pulse radiolysis was applied to investigate the reaction of C60(OH)36 with ●OH radicals or hydrated electrons (eaq−). The second-order rate constants for the reactions between fullerenol and ●OH radicals (2×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1) or hydrated electrons (2.5×109 dm3 mol−1 s−1) were determined. The most probable mechanism of the reaction of ●OH with fullerenol was via   the formation of a π-complex that could dissociate to reform the reactants in competition with the rearrangement to the σ-complex. The large number of hydroxyl groups attached to the fullerenol carbon cage did not result in any significant change in the rate constant for the reaction of fullerenol with hydroxyl radicals or eaq−.