• Represents the first interdisciplinary reference on the structure, synthesis, and properties of polyynes and carbyne molecules
• Explains the distinction between carbyne and carbynoid structures, fundamental characterization, and methods of synthesis
• Reflects renewed interest attributed to the significant advances achieved with the synthesis of carbon films
• Contains contributions of scientists and specialists from active research in their fields
• Applies to an exceptionally wide range of sciences, including plant biochemistry, pharmacology, geology, and astrophysics

Polyynes: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications compiles information found scattered throughout the literature in inorganic, organic, and polymer chemistry into one cohesive volume.

In addition to being a precursor of fullerenes, polyynes are one of the key precursors in the formation of soot and carbon dust, or elemental carbon in the galaxy, and their properties can be linked to interstellar band phenomena and other astrophysical behavior. More than 1,000 organic molecules produced by plants, fungi, and other microorganisms are also classified as polyynes, playing a biological role in nature that may be used in the treatment of diseases as antibiotics, anticancer, or anti-infective agents. Polyynes: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications covers breakthrough discoveries, particularly the simplified synthesis of polyynes in solution stabilized by using appropriate end groups and carbon films achieved using chemical, electrochemical, and other sophisticated techniques. The book explains in great detail the conditions, apparatus, and experimental procedures to synthesize polyynes with consistent and reproducible results.

By presenting new and unpublished results along with recent discoveries and theories, Polyynes: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications reflects the thriving research status of polyynes in various disciplines as well as new ideas and guidelines for future research, discoveries, and applications of these molecules.