Construction of Physical Models for Arbitrary Fullerenes with Beads: Realization of Tangent‐Sphere Model

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, we show a simple way to realize the tangent‐sphere model for constructing physical models of arbitrary fullerenes based on beads commonly used in the ornaments and decorative arts. Using suitably chosen weaving strategy, the beaded model can be made to be a faithful π‐bond representation of the corresponding fullerene. Moreover, the shape of a particular beaded model is usually quite close to the true molecular structure of the corresponding fullerene because there is an interesting analogue between microscopic valence shell electron pair repulsion and macroscopic mechanical hard‐sphere interaction in the trivalent beaded models. Systematic rules for constructing fullerenes without any hole are discussed.