Don’t be Square: Why do Chemistry and Nature Build Hexagons?

Chemical Education

Authors

  • Catherine E. Housecroft Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, BPR 1095, Mattenstrasse 22, Postfach, CH-4002 Basel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2024.352

Keywords:

Chemical education, Close-packing, Graphite, Hexagonal motif, Honey bee, Paper wasp

Abstract

This article distinguishes the role of hexagonal motifs in close-packed solid-state structures and in graphite and graphene; we then illustrate how hexagonal cells in the nests of honey bees and paper wasps minimize construction materials while optimizing space and achieving a robust architecture from delicate materials

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Published

2024-05-29