O(−)⋯C interactions and bond formation in 1-naphtholate anions with peri-located electrophilic carbon centres
How do you catch a bond forming? In this paper we nearly found the point where “not a bond” becomes a chemical bond. This is actually really tricky – we all think we know what a bond is and isn’t but the region in the middle is difficult. If we can locate and understand the “tipping point” where a bond actually forms, this could help design catalysts for a vast variety of reactions.