Question

Buckminsterfullerene is an allotropic form of

• A. Phosphorus
• B. Sulfur
• C. Carbon
• D. Tin

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Carbon

Explanation for correct option:

C. Carbon

Buckminsterfullerene:

• Fullerenes are one of the allotropes of carbon.
• Fullerenes are made by the heating of graphite in an electric arc in the presence of inert gases such as helium or argon.
• Fullerenes are cage-like molecules.
• ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule has a shape like a soccer ball and is called Buckminsterfullerene.
• It contains twenty six-membered rings and twelve five-membered rings.
• The structure of Buckminsterfullerene is given below:

Explanation for incorrect options:

A. The allotropes of Phosphorus are black, white, and red Phosphorus.

B. The allotropes of Sulfur are yellow rhombic sulfur (α-sulfur) and monoclinic (β-sulfur).

D. The allotropes of Tin are Grey tin (cubic), white tin (tetragonal), and white tin (rhombic).

Hence, the correct option is C. Buckminsterfullerene is an allotropic form of carbon.