Structure of C60: partial orientational order in the room-temperature modification of C60

Using published synchrotron X-ray data, the room-temperature scattering density distribution of pure C 60 has been parametrized in terms of a combination of eight oriented symmetry-related images of the molecule, and of a freely spinning molecule. Corresponding populations are 61 and 39%. The oriented part of the model is obtained, in good approximation, by imposing m3m symmetry on the energetically more favourable major orientation in the low-temperature structure of C 60