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Review
. 2016 Sep 5;55(37):10962-76.
doi: 10.1002/anie.201600655. Epub 2016 Jul 20.

Homo Citans and Carbon Allotropes: For an Ethics of Citation

Roald Hoffmann  1 , Artyom A Kabanov  2 , Andrey A Golov  2 , Davide M Proserpio  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Homo Citans and Carbon Allotropes: For an Ethics of Citation

Roald Hoffmann et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. .

Abstract

Cite we must, cite we do. We cite because we are links in a chain, using properties and methods validated by others. We also cite to negotiate the anxiety of influence. And to be fair. After outlining the reasons for citation, we use two case studies of citation amnesia in the field of hypothetical carbon allotropes to present a computer-age search tool (SACADA) in that subsubfield. Finally, we advise on good search practice, including what to do if you miss a citation.

Keywords: allotropy; carbon; citation ethics; publication practices.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of allotropes by coordination numbers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Calculated energies (method described in text) in eV/C atom relative to diamond.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of new carbon allotropes proposed over the years (in black) and the repetitions (in white). The grey areas are repetitions of structures published in the same year. Note the interrupted time scale before 1989.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. “Broad Family of Carbon Nanoallotropes: Classification, Chemistry, and Applications of Fullerenes, Carbon Dots, Nanotubes, Graphene, Nanodiamonds, and Combined Superstructures”: Georgakilas V., Perman J. A., Tucek J., Zboril R., Chem. Rev. 2015, 115, 4744–4822. - PubMed
    1. See the illustration and discussion in Hoffmann R., Schmidt S. Leibowitz, Old wine, new flasks: reflections on science and Jewish tradition, W. H. Freeman, 1997, pp. 62–67.
    1. Confucius, Analects, Book II, Chap. 21 (translation by James Legge): “The master said, ’What does the Shu-ching say of filial piety?‘ ’You are filial, you discharge your brotherly duties. These qualities are displayed in government.‘ This then also constitutes the exercise of government.”) We are grateful to Lanxing Zhang for bringing this material to our attention.

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