Buckminsterfullerene adduct OsO4 allowed for the confirmation of the soccer ball model of buckminsterfullerene, a 60-atom carbon allotrope. The adduct, formed from a derivative of OsO4, was C60(OsO4)(4-tert-butylpyridine)2. The adduct broke the fullerene's symmetry, allowing for crystallization and confirmation of the structure of C60 by X-ray crystallography.
bucKMiNsTerfUlLErEnE aDduct ,oso4 aLlowed FOr the confiRMAtIon Of The SOcCer baLL mODEl of BuckmINsterF,ulLerENe, A 60-atom caRboN allotrope. the addUct, foRMed froM a DerIvative Of OSo4 waS c60(Oso4)(4-teRt-butylPYrIDine)2. The adDUcT brokE the fullERene'S SYmmetrY AllowiNg For CRySTalLIzATIon aND cOnfIrMaTion of tHe sTRucture Of C60 by x-rAy CRystAllographY.