On the nature of the positronic bond

TL;DR

This study uses advanced quantum analysis to investigate a novel positronic bond, revealing that the positron acts as an anti-matter glue stabilizing a unique molecular system without traditional covalent bonds.

Contribution

It applies the multi-component quantum theory of atoms in molecules to characterize the positronic bond, demonstrating its electrostatic nature and stability.

Findings

Positron density stabilizes the system through electrostatic interactions.

No significant electron exchange occurs between the atoms.

The system is stabilized against dissociation by the positron acting as an anti-matter glue.

Abstract

Recently it has been proposed that the positron, the anti-particle analog of the electron, is capable of forming an anti-matter bond in a composite system of two hydride anions and a positron [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 57, 8859 (2018)]. In order to dig into the nature of this novel bond the newly developed multi-component quantum theory of atoms in molecules is applied to this positronic system. The topological analysis reveals that this species is composed of two atoms in molecules, each containing a proton and half of the electronic and the positronic populations. Further analysis elucidates that the electron exchange phenomenon is virtually non-existent between the two atoms and no electronic covalent bond is conceivable in between. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that the positron density enclosed in each atom is capable of stabilizing interactions with the electron density of the neighboring atom. This electrostatic interaction suffices to make the whole system bonded against all dissociation channels. Thus, the positron indeed acts like an anti-matter glue between the two atoms.