This weird chemical bond acts like a mash-up of hydrogen and covalent bonds

Hydrogen atoms sandwiched by fluorine exhibited the quirk of chemistry

fluorine atoms bonded to hydrogen atom

Fluorine atoms (illustrated in green) squeeze a hydrogen atom (orange) between them, when dissolved in water (red and silver). Researchers used infrared laser light (red lines) to study the chemical bond that formed (branching blue lines), which acts like a hybrid between a hydrogen bond and a covalent bond.

Designed by Ella Maru studio

Chemistry students the world over are familiar with covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds.