Fullerene transformations as analogues of radiolarian skeleton microevolution

Abstract

The analogy in the structures of fullerenes (i.e., polyhedral molecules with only the pentagonal and hexagonal facets) and radiolarian skeletons (Heliosphaera inermis, H. tenuissima, H. actinota, H. echinoides, H. elegans; Circogonia dodecahedra; Haliomma capillaceum, Ethmosphaera siphonophora Hkl., etc.) is briefly considered. Modern chemical methods allow fullerenes to be changed to desirable forms, e.g., the most symmetrical and, therefore, stable ones. The computer algorithms (e.g., SW-transformations) divide the variety of fullerenes-isomers into the classes of equivalency. The hypothesis is stated that the transformations of fullerenes simulate the radiolarian skeleton microevolution, while the classes of equivalency are of taxonomic significance.