Term: graphite
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684

Definition:
An allotropic form of the element carbon consisting of layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms in a planar condensed ring system graphene layers The layers are stacked parallel to each other in a three-dimensional crystalline long-range order. There are two allotropic forms with different stacking arrangements, hexagonal and rhombohedral. The chemical bonds within the layers are covalent with sp2 hybridization and with a C–C distance of 141.7 pm. The weak bonds between the layers are metallic with a strength comparable to van der Waals bonding only.

Note: The term graphite is also used often but incorrectly to describe @G02687@, i.e. materials consisting of @G02689@ made from carbon materials by processing to temperatures greater than 2500 K, even though no perfect graphite structure is present.

Related Terms:
1) graphite materials (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02687).
2) graphitic carbon (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02689).
3) graphene layers (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02683).
4) hybridization (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02874).

Source: PAC, 1995, 67, 473. 'Recommended terminology for the description of carbon as a solid (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 491 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567030473)

Citation: 'graphite' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02684

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