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Fullerenes are a form of carbon. What is the characteristic shape of the Buckminsterfullerene molecule?
Tetrahedral
Hexagonal sheets
Soccer ball structure
Linear chain
Soccer ball structure
Buckminsterfullerene, also known as C60тАЛ, is an allotrope of carbon consisting of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical cage structure. Its geometry is identical to that of a classic association football or soccer ball, featuring 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal rings.
Buckminsterfullerene, also known as C60тАЛ, is an allotrope of carbon consisting of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical cage structure. Its geometry is identical to that of a classic association football or soccer ball, featuring 20 hexagonal and 12 pentagonal rings.
Think of it as a microscopic geodesic dome or a soccer ball where every vertex is a carbon atom connected by strong chemical bonds.
Buckyball = Soccer Ball
C60тАЛ тАФ Chemical formula for Buckminsterfullerene
sp2 тАФ Hybridization state of carbon in the structure
The stability of C60тАЛ arises from its truncated icosahedron geometry, which allows each of the 60 carbon atoms to be sp2 hybridized. This configuration satisfies the bonding requirements of carbon while minimizing steric strain in a closed, curved surface. The structure is held together by covalent bonds, creating a unique cluster known as a fullerene.
It was discovered by Kroto, Smalley, and Curl in 1985.
It contains exactly 60 carbon atoms.
It has 32 faces in total (20 hexagons and 12 pentagons).
It is a hollow, closed-cage structure belonging to the fullerene family.
High thermal stability
Unique electronic properties for material science
Potential for drug delivery systems due to its hollow interior
Difficult and expensive to produce in bulk quantities
Low solubility in common solvents
Lubricants for nanotechnology applications
Components in organic photovoltaics and solar cells
The structure is mathematically known as a truncated icosahedron.
Option A is incorrect because tetrahedral geometry describes diamond. Option B is incorrect as hexagonal sheets are characteristic of graphite. Option D describes linear carbon chains like carbyne.
C is correct тАФ The Buckminsterfullerene molecule (C60тАЛ) forms a spherical, cage-like structure that closely resembles a soccer ball.
Always link C60тАЛ with its soccer-ball appearance and diamond with tetrahedral geometry to avoid confusion in competitive exams.