Four-center two-electron bond

A four-center two-electron bond is a type of chemical bond in which four atoms share two electrons in bonding which is unusual because in ordinary chemical bonds two atoms share two electrons (2c-2e bonding). This type of bonding is postulated in certain cluster compounds. For instance, the borane B₆H₇^- anion, is a B₆H₆^2- octahedron with an additional proton attached to one of the triangular faces. ^[1]. As a result the octahedron is distorted and a BBBH rhomboid ring can be identified in which this 4c-2e bonding takes place. This type of bonding is associated with electron deficient rhomboid rings in general ^[2] and is a relatively new research field, fitting in with the already well established three-center two-electron bonds and three-center four-electron bonds.

References