Quantum nature of hydrogen bonds observed in acid–base complex
Spectroscopic evidence of proton delocalisation could change the way we approach acid–base chemistry
Researchers in the US have demonstrated the presence of quantum mechanical effects in acid–base interactions, challenging the Brønsted–Lowry theory. The resultant short hydrogen bond is stabilised by a delocalised proton, which rapidly shuttles between the acid and base molecules and is characterised by highly unusual spectral features.