Allotropes Of Carbon
Chapter Name : The P- Block Elements |
Sub Topic Code : 102_11_11_08_03 |
Topic Name : Allotropes Of Carbon |
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Sub Topic Name : Fullerenes |
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Introduction
• Fullerenes are made by the heating of graphite in an electric arc in the presence of inert gases such as helium or argon. • The sooty material formed by condensation of vapourised Cn small molecules consists of mainly C60 with smaller quantity of C70 and traces of fullerenes consisting of even number of carbon atoms up to 350 or above. • Fullerenes are the only pure form of carbon because they have smooth structure without having ‘dangling’ bonds. • Fullerenes are cage like molecules having 60 vertices. • C60 molecule has a shape like soccer ball and called Buckminsterfullerene. • All the carbon atoms are equal and they undergo sp2 hybridisation. • Each carbon atom forms three sigma bonds with other three carbon atoms. • The remaining electron at each carbon is delocalised in molecular orbitals, which in turn give aromatic character to molecule. • Each one is occupied by one carbon atom and it also contains both single and double bonds with C–C distances of 143.5 pm and 138.3 pm respectively. • Spherical fullerenes are also called bucky balls in short.
Pre-Requisites:
Elements, periodic table, allotrope
Activity:
• Nanotubes: structural variations on fullerenes, hollow tubes of very small dimensions, having single or multiple walls; potential applications in electronics industry;
Real Life Question:
What are nanotubes?
Key Words / FlashCards
| Key Words | Definitions (pref. in our own words) |
|---|---|
| P block elements | Have the last electron in the outermost p orbital. |
Learning aids / Gadgets
| Gadgets | How it can be used |
|---|---|
| football | Similar to the structure of fullerene. |
Real life uses :
• Nanotubes: structural variations on fullerenes, hollow tubes of very small dimensions, having single or multiple walls; potential applications in electronics industry.
Places to visit :
Classroom.
Practical examples around us
| Examples | Explainations |
|---|---|
| Pencils | Lead in the pencil is made up of graphite. |
What you learn in Theory:
• Fullerenes are made by the heating of graphite in an electric arc in the presence of inert gases such as helium or argon. • The sooty material formed by condensation of vaporized Cn small molecules consists of mainly C60 with smaller quantity of C70 and traces of fullerenes consisting of even number of carbon atoms up to 350 or above. • Fullerenes are the only pure form of carbon because they have smooth structure without having ‘dangling’ bonds. • Fullerenes are cage like molecules having 60 vertices. • C60 molecule has a shape like soccer ball and called Buckminsterfullerene. • All the carbon atoms are equal and they undergo sp2 hybridisation. • Each carbon atom forms three sigma bonds with other three carbon atoms. • The remaining electron at each carbon is delocalised in molecular orbitals, which in turn give aromatic character to molecule. • Each one is occupied by one carbon atom and it also contains both single and double bonds with C–C distances of 143.5 pm and 138.3 pm respectively. • Spherical fullerenes are also called bucky balls in short.
What you learn in Practice:
• Nanotubes: structural variations on fullerenes, hollow tubes of very small dimensions, having single or multiple walls; potential applications in electronics industry.