Clarifying the quantum mechanical origin of the covalent chemical bond
The origin of the covalent H–H bond is understood to be driven by kinetic energy lowering. Here the authors show this is not the case for bonds between heavier elements likely due to the presence of core electrons, and that constructive quantum interference instead drives bond formation.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18670-8 |
| Summary: | The origin of the covalent H–H bond is understood to be driven by kinetic energy lowering. Here the authors show this is not the case for bonds between heavier elements likely due to the presence of core electrons, and that constructive quantum interference instead drives bond formation. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |