Posted on 07/19/2022 11:18:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The team started with a substance called 5,6,11,12-tetrachlorotetracene (with the formula C18H8Cl4) – a carbon-based molecule that looks like a row of four honeycomb cells flanked by four chlorine atoms hovering around like hungry bees.
Sticking a thin layer of the material to a cold, salt-crusted piece of copper, the researchers drove the chlorine-bees away, leaving a handful of excitable carbon atoms holding onto unpaired electrons in a range of related structures.
Two of those electrons in some of the structures happily reconnected with each other, reconfiguring the molecule's general honeycomb shape. The second pair were also keen to pair up not just with each other, but with any other available electron that might buzz their way.
Ordinarily, this wobbly structure would be short-lived as the remaining electrons married up with each other as well. But the researchers found this particular system wasn't an ordinary one.
With a gentle push of voltage from an atom-sized cattle prod, they showed they could force a single molecule to connect that second pair of electrons in such a fashion that the four cells were pulled out of alignment in what's known as a bent alkyne.
Shaken a little less vigorously, those electrons paired up differently, distorting the structure in a completely different fashion into what's known as a cyclobutadiene ring.
Each product was then reformed back into the original state with a pulse of electrons, ready to flip again at a moment's prompting.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencealert.com ...
Countdown to the articles in 20 years saying "Cyclobutadiene rings found in the blood of children nationwide." Why not, we have those scary articles for every other chemical ever produced.
Isn’t that more physics rather than chemistry?
Physicist don’t scare me.... Chemist’s on the other hand...never piss off a chemist...especially if he knows where you keep your ice cream.
Who asked you?
“Who asked you?”
Someone who has been lurking ...
PETA(toms) will be furious to hear about atom-sized cattle prods.
2200 A.D.:
In the ashes of a world called Earth was found reports of really stupid experiments that had been conducted by really stupid scientists.
I think the important thing is the atom sized cattle prod. I am pretty sure they can rearrange atomic bonds using other chemicals, heat, and pressure.
The writer of the articles needs better metaphors to describe the situation...”hungry bees”.... describes chlorine atoms poorly
Yep. Cl are withdrawing elements
It works because 4n+2
Nature rearranges chemical bonds all the time. Enzymes. In order to change shape they have to change chemical bonds.
“Chlorine atoms hovering around like hungry bees.” Isn’t organic chemistry such fun.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.