(Geodesic Domes @ Eden Project in Cornwall. Photo Credit)

In Chemical Bonding chapter of Basic Chemistry Syllabus (O Levels, etc), you have learned about the term Allotropes as well as Macromolecules.

To be more exact, you learned that Allotropes = Compounds with the same element with different structure.

The two examples you learned are Diamond and Graphite, which are Allotropes of Carbon.

Now, i would like to introduce to you another allotrope of carbon that have found so many applications into our daily modern lives. Think of Apple, iPod, iPad, Macbook, iPad, Blackberry, Nokie, smaller and thinner electronics consumable products.

This is FULLERENE. C_6o – highly symmetrical spherical football-shaped molecule – which was obtained by firing a powerful laser at a sample of graphite at a temperature of 10, 000 degree Celsius. It was named as Buckminsterfullerene in honour of the architect R. Buckminster Fuller, who used to be the principle of the geodosic dome in many of his buildings.

Molecular Model of C60, Fullerene (Photo credit St Stev)

Look at the molecular structure and you will realised that the alternating 5- and 6-membered rings in C₆₀ gives a bonding pattern similar to the struts in a geodosic dome.

In fact, from the point C₆₀ was found and honoured, other fullerenes such as C₇₀, C₇₆, C₇₈, C₉₀, etc has been synthesized and i expect many more to be synthesize to open up more exciting new areas of Chemistry and its application in the modern world.

As stated earlier on, fullerenes found its many application in the semi-conductors industry.

Now, time for you to put on your thinking caps:

Question:

Is fullerene a good or non-conductor of electricity? Explain with reference to its structure and bonding properties.

(Clue: Refer to structure and bondings in Graphite (Good Conductor) and Diamond (Non-Conductor))

PS: I would love to hear from you. Think about it and leave your comments below. It is actually very easy. =)