NANOCHEMISTRY

Carbon can be bonded in different ways to

form very different products. These forms
are called ALLOTROPES
Carbon graphite diamond
DIAMOND
Each C is bonded to
4 other Cs
Strong covalent
bonds; need lots of
energy to separate
No free electrons
therefore cant
conduct electricity
 GRAPHITE
Cs are arranged in layers
Within a layer are strong
covalent bonds
Layers are held together
by weak forces; they can
slide across each others
Electrons between layers
are delocalised (able to
move)
Conduct electricity
BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE
Discovered in 1985
C60 sphere
bucky balls
Other fullerenes
have been
developed
 NANOTUBES
Can join fullerenes to make
tube shapes called nanotubes
Are strong
Conduct electricity
Can attach molecules to the
outside

Lead to the new field of

nanochemistry
Works with nanoparticles, only
particles that can act like true
metallic conductors
 Fullerenes can also act like cages by place
molecules inside the tube
Targeted drug therapy