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Carbon has several allotropic forms, including diamond, graphite, and fullerenes. Diamond features a rigid three-dimensional lattice structure with strong covalent bonds, making it the hardest substance on Earth, while graphite has a layered structure that allows it to conduct electricity and act as a lubricant. Fullerenes, discovered in 1985, are formed from graphite and consist mainly of C60 molecules.

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paper 3

Carbon has several allotropic forms, including diamond, graphite, and fullerenes. Diamond features a rigid three-dimensional lattice structure with strong covalent bonds, making it the hardest substance on Earth, while graphite has a layered structure that allows it to conduct electricity and act as a lubricant. Fullerenes, discovered in 1985, are formed from graphite and consist mainly of C60 molecules.

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Dashdaber 154
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Carbon exhibits many allotropic forms; both crystalline as well as amorphous.

Diamond and graphite are two well-known crystalline forms of carbon. In 1985, third
form of carbon known as fullerenes was discovered by H.W.Kroto, E.Smalley and
R.F.Curl. For this discovery they were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1996. 11.7.1
Diamond It has a crystalline lattice. In diamond each carbon atom undergoes sp3
hybridisation and linked to four other carbon atoms by using hybridised orbitals in
tetrahedral fashion. The C–C bond length is 154 pm. The structure extends in space
and produces a rigid threedimensional network of carbon atoms. In this 2019-20326
structure (Fig. 11.3) directional covalent bonds are present throughout the
lattice. It is very difficult to break extended covalent bonding and, therefore,
diamond is a hardest substance on the earth. It is used as an abrasive for
sharpening hard tools, in making dyes and in the manufacture of tungsten filaments
for electric light bulbs. Problem 11.7 Diamond is covalent, yet it has high melting
point. Why ? Solution Diamond has a three-dimensional network involving strong C—C
bonds, which are very difficult to break and, in turn has high melting point.
11.7.2 Graphite Graphite has layered structure (Fig.11.4). Layers are held by van
der Waals forces and distance between two layers is 340 pm. Each layer is composed
of planar hexagonal rings of carbon atoms. C—C bond length within the layer is
141.5 pm. Each carbon atom in hexagonal ring undergoes sp2 hybridisation and makes
three sigma bonds with three neighbouring carbon atoms. Fourth electron forms a π
bond. The electrons are delocalised over the whole sheet. Electrons are mobile and,
CHEMISTRY Fig. 11.3 The structure of diamond Fig 11.4 The structure of graphite
therefore, graphite conducts electricity along the sheet. Graphite cleaves easily
between the layers and, therefore, it is very soft and slippery. For this reason
graphite is used as a dry lubricant in machines running at high temperature, where
oil cannot be used as a lubricant. 11.7.3 Fullerenes 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 pu

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