Discuss the preparation, structure and properties of fullerenes.

Fullerenes, a form of carbon allotrope, are fascinating molecules whose production resembles a bit of a high-tech alchemy. They are not naturally occurring in significant amounts and, therefore, require an artificial process to create them. The key method for preparing fullerenes harkens back to an experimental setup that would not be out of place in a Frankenstein movie: zapping a pair of pure graphite rods with a strong electric current in an atmosphere devoid of reactive gases, typically helium or argon. Picture the graphite electrodes evaporating under the intense heat of the electricity, and in the resulting sooty byproduct, fullerenes emerge like microscopic diamonds in the rough.

After the electric arc process, this soot undergoes a sort of 'molecular sieving.' It's dissolved in an organic solvent, often something like toluene or benzene, which helps separate fullerenes from other unwanted carbon forms. Following this, a technique known as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) comes into play. With precision befitting a Swiss watch, HPLC isolates the fullerenes based on their molecular characteristics, giving researchers a pristine sample of these carbon cages for further study and application.

Diving into the world of fullerenes is akin to exploring architectural marvels at the microscopic scale. The most renowned fullerene, Buckminsterfullerene (C60), pays tribute in its name to geodesic dome designer Buckminster Fuller and is fashioned in a strikingly similar fashion. Imagine a patchwork of pentagons and hexagons seamlessly stitched together - not unlike the panels on a classic soccer ball. This collective arrangement gives rise to a spherical shape for the molecule, an attribute quite unusual when it comes to carbon structures.

Within this molecular mosaic, carbon atoms are bonded together with single and double bonds, alternating in a way that imbues the overall 'cage' with remarkable strength. Every carbon atom is a corner shared by three of these polygons, manifesting a geometric elegance that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides structural robustness.

The uniqueness of fullerenes doesn't end with their structure; their properties border on the unearthly, offering a treasure trove of applications that scientists are still eagerly unlocking. These spherical sages of the carbon world have electron arrangements that allow them to conduct electricity, and they show great promise as superconductors in certain conditions, potentially paving the way to revolutionizing electronics.

One cannot ignore the resilience of fullerenes: their architectural fortitude enables them to resist high temperatures and pressures without batting a molecular eyelid. This tenacity, coupled with their solubility in various organic solvents, makes them excellent candidates for industrial use, such as in catalysts where high surface area and structural stability are crucial. In the biomedical realm, fullerenes' ability to tussle with electrons lends them their superhero cape as potential antioxidants, sparking research into their use for medical therapies and drug delivery systems.