Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Buckminsterfullerene - an unusual
form of carbon
In 1985 a new allotrope of carbon was obtained by
Richard Smalley and Robert Curl of Rice University,
Texas. It was formed by the action of a laser beam on
a sample of graphite.
The structure of buckminsterfullerene can be seen
in Figure 3.35.
This spherical structure is composed of 60 carbon
atoms covalently bonded together. Further spherical
forms of carbon, 'bucky balls', containing 70, 72
and 84 carbon atoms have been identifi ed and
the discovery has led to a whole new branch of
inorganic carbon chemistry. It is thought that this
type of molecule exists in chimney soot. Chemists
have suggested that due to the large surface area
of the bucky balls they may have uses as catalysts
(Chapter 7, p. 109). Also they may have uses as
superconductors.
Buckminsterfullerene is named after an American
architect, Buckminster Fuller, who built complex
geometrical structures (Figure 3.36).
Questions
1
Explain the difference between ionic and covalent bonding.
Discuss in what ways the electronic structure of the noble
gases is important in both of these theories of bonding.
2
Compare the structures of silicon(
iv
) oxide (p. 50) and
diamond, and describe their physical properties in terms of
these structures.
Figure 3.35
Buckminsterfullerene - a 'bucky ball' (C
60
).
Figure 3.36
C
60
has a structure similar to a football and to the structure of the domes at the Eden Centre, Cornwall, uk.
