Little information is presently available about this allotrope. These interesting molecules, consisting of 60 or 70 carbon atoms linked together, seem capable of withstanding great pressure and trapping foreign atoms inside their network of carbon. They are said to be capable of magnetism and superconductivity and have potential as a nonlinear optical material. In combination, carbon is found as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the earth and dissolved in all natural waters. Coal petroleum, and natural gas are chiefly hydrocarbons.
Carbon is unique among the elements in the vast number and variety of compounds it can form.
With hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements, it forms a very large number of compounds, carbon atom often being linked to carbon atom. There are close to ten million known carbon compounds, many thousands of which are vital to organic and life processes. Without carbon, the basis for life would be imossible. While it has been thought that silicon might take the place of carbon in forming a host of similar compounds, it is now not possible to form stable compounds with very long chains of silicon atoms. Carbon has thirteen isotopes.