Скачать или смотреть Formation of buckminsterfullerene (C60) from graphene in space

This video shows schematically how graphene can be converted into the C60 fullerene in interstellar space. We start with a sheet of graphene where carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal network. Under UV irradiation from massive stars, C atoms are lost in the hexagons situated at the edge of the graphene flake and converted into pentagons (shown in orange). The formation of pentagons stresses the molecule forcing it to curve. When several pentagons have been formed they can migrate inside the molecule. Finally, when 12 pentagons have been formed and when each carbon atom belongs to both a pentagon and a hexagon, the molecule closes into C60. Graphics by L. Cadars (www.laurecadars.com). Related papers: Chuvilin et al Nat. Chem. 2010 and Berné & Tielens PNAS 2012