Carbon, the element that underpins life as we know it, has been shown to form a single electron bond between two of its molecules for the first time. This breakthrough discovery was made by scientists from Hokkaido University in Japan and published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature.
A traditional “single bond” is actually formed when one electron is shared between two atoms – this is what makes it fragile and prone to breaking. The new research built on a 1931 idea proposed by chemist Linus Pauling, who predicted that such a single electron covalent bond was theoretically possible but had yet to be observed.
To stabilize the delicate bond, the researchers created a complex molecule with structures that supported the fragile connection. They used derivatives of hexaphenylethane, a theorized carbon compound, and specialized X-ray techniques to observe the bond. The results confirmed their predictions, marking a major milestone in understanding covalent bonds.
The discovery has significant implications for fields like nanomaterials, which heavily rely on carbon-based materials. While it may take another 100 years to fully realize the potential of this breakthrough, it’s clear that carbon continues to surprise and inspire scientists with its unique properties.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a62562173/single-electron-carbon-bond/