FULLERINES AND THE STRUCTURES OF CARBON

The current state of research on fullerenes-carbon molecules consistin g of 60, 70, 76, 84 etc carbon atoms placed on the surface of a sphere or a spheroid-is reviewed. The fullerene structures, methods of their generation, processes in which fullerines participate, and fullerene formation in natural gaseous systems are considered. Properties of nan otubules and methods of their preparation are analysed. Other carbon c ompounds that resemble fullerenes are considered. The behaviour of ful lerenes in solutions is described together with the results of relevan t studies. The properties of fullerites-crystals made up of fullerenes -are summarised together with the properties of their compounds.