title: Fullerene-catalyzed reduction of azo derivatives in water under UV irradiation.
abstract: Metal-free fullerene (C(60)) was found to be an effective catalyst for the reduction of azo groups in basic aqueous solution under UV irradiation in the presence of NaBH(4). Use of NaBH(4) by itself is not sufficient to reduce the azo dyes without the assistance of a metal catalyst such as Pd and Ag. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that C(60) catalyzes this reaction by using its vacant orbital to accept the electron in the bonding orbital of azo dyes, which leads to the activation of the N=N bond. UV irradiation increases the ability of C(60) to interact with electron-donor moieties in azo dyes.
authors.affiliation: Controlled Release and Delivery Lab (CRD), Center of Membrane and Porous Materials, Chemical and Life Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Wengang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Basem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moosa
authors.forename: Ma'an
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amad
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Werth
authors.forename: Niveen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Khashab