Diamond from Molecules
Conventional methods require high temperatures, and sometimes high pressures, to slowly build diamond films. We do it differently. We synthesize diamond from “tetrahedranoidal” molecules, which approximate the diamond tetrahedron, the smallest carbon atom assembly unit that can form diamond. We react a tetrahedranoidal compound with an excited state carbon atom in a thermodynamically driven reaction that yields ultra-pure diamond.
The Diamond Tetrahedron
The resulting diamond tetrahedron comprises five carbon atoms with a carbon atom at each apex and a carbon atom in the center (the “cage” position).

Diamond Tetrahedron
Building Blocks of Diamond
Five tetrahedranoidal molecules that we can use in our process.





- tetrahedrane (C4H4)
- benzvalene (C6H6)
- dihydro-benzvalene (C6H8)
- tetrahedranone (2,3,4-methynyl-cyclobutanone)–
- diazabenzvalene (2,3,4-methynyl-pyrazoline)–
Tetrahedranoidal compounds that are sterically unencumbered may be used as reactants with an excited state carbon atom to produce diamond.
Carbon Sourced from Cubane*
Carbon reacts with each of these tetrahedranoidal molecules to produce diamond. Cubane is our preferred carbon source: C:H ratio = 1; 166 kcal/mole strain energy.

*While not currently used in CVD diamond production, cubane is a clean carbon atom source for chemical vapor deposition processes (diamond, metal carbides, etc.).
Making Diamond from Benzvalene
The following shows how we make diamond from benzvalene.
See our patents to learn more about the other compounds.

Vapor Phase
Benzvalene vapor is reacted with excited state atomic carbon at ambient conditions, kinetically limited only by the rate at which reactants are provided.
Solid State
Under ambient conditions, a homogeneous mixture of benzvalene and cubane is subjected to a high energy discharge to form solid diamond within seconds.