A HYPOTHETICAL GROWTH-MECHANISM OF CARBON 5-MEMBERED AND 6-MEMBERED RING NETWORKS

One of the most prominent aspects of the novel form of carbon molecule s, the ''fullerenes'', is the characteristic features of the C-C bond networks. The fullerene hollow closed cage consists of five- and six-m embered rings, providing a spherical surface with no adjacent pentagon s in the network (isolated pentagon rule, IPR). Here we describe a nov el picture of growth of fullerenes, paying special attention to the in itial stage of growth of five- and six-membered ring networks. Some im portant precursors associated with specific fullerenes are suggested i n connection with the structure and stability of small carbon clusters .