Amphiphilic γ-Cyclodextrin–Fullerene Complexes with Photodynamic Activity

Amphiphilic γ-cyclodextrin–fullerene 2:1 complexes (CLFCH complexes) were prepared by high-speed vibration milling of lipophilic tail-grafted γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), hydrophilic tail-grafted γ-CD and fullerene C60. The transamidation of γ-CD–fullerene complex having two amino groups with lipophilic and hydrophilic activated esters also afforded amphiphilic CLFCH complexes. Self-assemblies consisting of amphiphilic CLFCH complexes efficiently generated singlet oxygen under photoirradiation. Under visible light irradiation conditions, CLFCH complexes bearing vitamin E moiety as a lipophilic tail showed high photodynamic activity toward cancer cells.