Chemical Bonding in the Boron Buckyball

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the symmetry and bonding in the boron buckyball B80, revealing similarities with C60 and predicting significant chemical and physical properties despite B80 being only theoretical.

Contribution

It provides a symmetry-based analysis of B80's valence shell, highlighting its bonding structure and potential properties, which was not previously detailed.

Findings

B80's valence shell matches C60's symmetry

Cap atoms participate in sigma bonding

Predicted unique chemical and physical properties

Abstract

A symmetry analysis of the valence shell in the boron buckyball B80, shows a perfect match with the symmetry of the valence shell in C60 .The cap atoms participate in the bonding by 30 orbitals which transform as the sigma bonds along the 6-6 edges. Far reaching consequences for chemical and physical properties of B80, which until now only exists in silico, are expected.