Fullerene and fullerites. New modern materials

The discovery of a new form of pure carbon - giant molecules called fullerenes and subsequently of a new crystalline form of carbon - fullerite crystals - has been a full-scale scientific boom over the past few years. Hundreds of laboratories all over the world are being engaged in synthesizing and studying fullerenes and fullerites and their derivatives, the number of publications amounts to two thousand, and the rate and scope of researches goes on growing. This report is not a scientific review and it is not my aim to establish scientific priorities. This is rather a popular lecture that better fits in with the spirit of this session. In view of this, not to overburden my report, I shall not make individual references in the text and figures since, to be exact and consistent, the number of such references must be very large. At the end of my lecture I shall give references to several recent very good reviews devoted to individual problems of fullerene physics and chemistry. The reader will find the necessary references to originals in these reviews. (orig.)