Abstract:
Carbon is one of the most interesting elements in the periodic table and it plays a
unique role in nature. Carbon has the ability to form very long chains of interconnecting C-C
bonds which is known as catenation. Due to catenation, carbon forms the highest number of
compounds compared to any other element. The capability of carbon atoms to form
complicated networks [1] is fundamental to organic chemistry and forms the basis for the
existence of life. Elemental carbon forms many allotropes [Figure 1] such as diamond,
graphite, fullerenes [2-4] and nanotubes [5].
Figure 1.