Molecular structure of the C₇₀ fullerene

The molecular structure of C₇₀ has been studied between 20 and 300 K using high-Q pulsed powder neutron diffraction of solid C₇₀. The intra- and inter-molecular pair correlation functions were decoupled, allowing accurate determination of the intramolecular structure of C₇₀. The CC bond lengths range between ≈ 1.38 and 1.48 Å with no evidence of pinching in the equatorial region. There is essentially no change in the intermolecular structure on cooling, in contrast to the severe changes in the intermolecular pair correlation function that accompany orientational ordering.