Carbon atoms marry to form first-ever ring.

Pedro_P

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▼  Carbon is a shapeshifter. When its atoms bond to four neighbors, it becomes diamond. With three bonds, it transforms into sheetlike graphite or graphene, 3D nanotubes, or even soccer ball–shaped buckyballs. But no one has ever put together a stable arrangement where each carbon has just two neighbors—until now.
Chemists in Switzerland and the United Kingdom started with a triangle-shaped loop of 18 carbon atoms, with two carbon monoxide (CO) groups at each corner to provide stability. The chemists then used the tip of an atomic force microscope to zap off the CO groups, eventually removing them all to create their 18-carbon ring (simulated above). The new molecule, known as a cyclocarbon, is the  smallest theoretically stable ring  of carbon to exist, they report today inScience.
The carbon ring is also highly reactive, allowing the researchers to fuse it with other carbon and oxygen rings. That has already led to one other novel compound, and it has opened the door to a wide array of novel ring-shaped structures that might one day be used in electronics and other nanodevices.

► This article was originally published here: Source

Pedro_P

@Rhett Bassard ...
Actually, given that "matter is not created nor destroyed, it is only transformed", there are the same amount of carbon atoms in the world... Certainly, there may be a greater number of carbon atoms and molecules in the environment, however, if one could take the carbon from the environment, process it and convert it into useful and non-polluting materials, it would be very good.
Although, I hope that carbon rings are not manufactured, it is enough with the rings with diamonds... Ouch!, are very expensive, but worth the investment...

asr335704

Although it is in initial stage but still looks like a good discovery. This may be put to good use in nano devices.

Just wondering - a carbon with four bonds is diamond which is already expensive. How much expensive will the carbon with such ring shaped structures.

chanakyakripa

Our world is a carbon based world. If by any way, this technology can be used to convert polluting matter to matter that can help humanity, it will be overall good of the mother earth as well. Science should always be used for greater good and not for petty causes.

ajayjohri

Pedro_P 16-8-2019 12:42 PM
@Rhett Bassard ...
Actually, given that "matter is not created nor destroyed, it is only transformed ...

So you have mixed up science and emotions in one!