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Buckminsterfullerene
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<p>Buckminsterfullerene is a type of <a href="/facts/Fullerene/LPdnl8ox">fullerene</a> with the formula C60. It has a cage-like fused-ring structure (<a href="/facts/Truncated_icosahedron/LR8ugaY9">truncated icosahedron</a>) made of twenty <a href="/facts/Hexagon/DPzuCzWE">hexagons</a> and twelve <a href="/facts/Pentagon/jeHEARHH">pentagons</a>, and resembles a <a href="/facts/Soccer_ball/SC2f6csg">soccer ball</a>. Each of its 60 <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbon</a> atoms is <a href="/facts/Chemical_bond/ArNUMnIB">bonded</a> to its three neighbors. </p><p>Buckminsterfullerene is a black solid that dissolves in <a href="/facts/Hydrocarbon/Dcg95Ju5">hydrocarbon</a> <a href="/facts/Solvent/LoMPMz8S">solvents</a> to produce a violet solution. The substance was discovered in 1985 and has received intense study, although few real world applications have been found. </p><p>Molecules of buckminsterfullerene (or of fullerenes in general) are commonly nicknamed buckyballs. </p>