Noncovalent Immobilization of C60 on Gold Surfaces by SAMs of Cyclotriveratrylene Derivatives

Two cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) derivatives, one containing a thioctic ester (1) and the other with thioether groups (2), were synthesized. UV-vis titration of C₆₀ with these two CTV derivatives confirmed the host-guest interaction between C₆₀ and the CTV derivatives. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 1 and 2 were formed on gold surfaces and were characterized by CV blocking experiments, impedance spectroscopy, and electrochemical reductive desorption. Noncovalent immobilization of C₆₀ on gold surfaces was obtained with SAMs of the two CTV derivatives. SAMs of 1 can bind C₆₀ after they are formed or during formation. However, SAMs of 2 can only incorporate C₆₀ if they are formed from a solution containing both 2 and C₆₀.