Solid C60: a new form of carbon

A new form of pure, solid carbon has been synthesized consisting of a somewhat disordered hexagonal close packing of soccer-ball-shaped C₆₀ molecules. Infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction studies of the molecular packing confirm that the molecules have the anticipated 'fullerene' structure. Mass spectroscopy shows that the C₇₀ molecule is present at levels of a few per cent. The solid-state and molecular properties of C₆₀ and its possible role in interstellar space can now be studied in detail.