Buckminsterfullerene

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Buckminsterfullerene

Buckminsterfullerene (pronounced: buck-min-ster-ful-er-een), also known as C60 Fullerene, is a type of fullerene with the formula C60. It has a cage-like fused-ring structure (truncated icosahedron) which resembles a soccer ball, made of twenty hexagons and twelve pentagons. Each carbon atom is covalently bonded to three others.

Etymology

The name is a tribute to Richard Buckminster Fuller, an American architect who popularized the geodesic dome. The structure of C60 resembles Fuller's architectural work, hence the name 'Buckminsterfullerene'.

Synthesis

Buckminsterfullerene was first prepared in 1985 by Harold Kroto, Richard Smalley, and Robert Curl, who used a laser to vaporize graphite in an atmosphere of helium. The resulting carbon plumes were then condensed on a cooled surface, a technique known as laser ablation.

Properties

Buckminsterfullerene is a black solid that dissolves in organic solvents to give a purple solution. It exhibits a strong absorption in the near UV to near IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is also capable of withstanding high temperatures and high pressures.

Applications

Due to its unique structure, Buckminsterfullerene has potential applications in a variety of fields, including nanotechnology, material science, and medicine. For example, it has been explored as a carrier for drug delivery in the field of pharmaceuticals.

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