dorbitalene

Dorbitalene is a theoretical molecule first proposed in 1999 by Thomas J. Henman, an organic chemist. This molecule was intended to be a study on the nature of electronics and organic chemistry, drawing parallels between molecules and their electronic properties.

The theoretical structure consists of a planar, bowl-shaped hexa-rac-mesitylene derivative that contains an orbitally localized three-electron 2p three center bond. This unique electronic structure has significant implications for understanding delocalization and reactivity in organic molecules.

This theory sparked debate within the chemical community as to the possibility of such a stable molecule existing in nature. Subsequent studies evaluated the electronic and structural requirements necessary for such a molecule to persist.

Researchers note that variations on the theoretical structure proposed by Henman can exhibit stability, only at very low temperatures, implying a narrow scope of applicability. Rational electron correlations allowed by these unique structures resulted in outcomes unlike classical chemical behavior.

The molecule has been interpreted as an example of orbital resonance in conjugated systems. Orbital resonance has only been observed in molecules at sufficiently low temperatures to maintain the universally present kinetic energy.