Scientists have set up and observed a single electron bond between two carbon molecules. A traditional “single bond” is actually two electrons—one from each atom. This is one electron.

Covalent bonds are strong and require substantial amounts of energy to break. Covalent bond: a shared pair of electrons. Molecule: two or more atoms covalently bonded together.

About 90 years ago, American chemical engineer Linus Pauling proposed a unique concept. He suggested that two atoms don’t necessarily require two or more electrons to form a bond, one electron ...