1. Special Molecular Arrangements
Chapter 10
Special Molecular Arrangements
4/10/08
Chemistry 150

2. Carbon Fullerenes 0-dimensional carbon structure
Usually C60, but also refers to C70, C76, Cn (n > 60)
Every carbon site on C60 is equivalent
Bonded to three other carbons
average bond is 1.44 Å (C-C is 1.46 Å; C=C is 1.40 Å)
20 hexagonal faces; 12 pentagonal faces
Diameter: ~ 7 Å
Hexagonal are alternating single/double bonds; pentagonal are single bonds
C-60; C-70; C-80 (not shown) is even more oblong; C-540

3. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983):
Fuller, R. Buckminster   (1895–1983). Known as an architect, engineer, inventor, and poet, R. Buckminster Fuller developed the geodesic dome, a large dome that can be set directly on the ground as a complete structure.
(Britannica Student Encyclopedia)
Buckminster Fuller ( ):
Architect, engineer, inventor; Developed the geodesic dome

4. Carbon Nanotubes
Armchair
(b) Zigzag
(c) Chiral

5. Properties of Carbon Nanotubes
Mechanical
40X stronger than steel
C-C bonds in nanotubes are the one of the strongest bonds in nature
Flexible; do not break when bent
Conductivity
Extremely high thermal conductivity
Extremely high electrical conductivity
Potential Applications:
Thermal
graphite and diamond have strong thermal conductivity
single NT much higher thermal conductivity than bulk nanotubes
catalysis - hydrogen storage - biological cell electrodes
resistors - electronic/mechanical devices