Q25 of 312 Page 221

What is buckminsterfullerence? How is it related to diamond and graphite?

Buckminsterfullerene is an allotrope of carbon that was discovered in 1985 containing clusters of 60 carbon atoms joined together to form spherical molecules. When it is burnt, it forms carbon dioxide leaving nothing behind which means it is only made up of carbon and this is how it is related to diamond and graphite.

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24 What is meant by catenation? Name two elements which exhibit the property of catenation. 24 Write the names and structural formulae of all the possible isomers of hexane. 25 Why is diamond used for making cutting tools (lie glass cutters) but graphite is not? 25 Why is graphite used for making dry cell electrodes but diamond is not?