Scientists discover a strange hidden state in “sandwich” molecules

Since their discovery in the 1950s, metallocenes have played a major role in organometallic chemistry. These compounds feature a metal atom positioned between two carbon rings, giving them a distinctive "sandwich" structure. Over the decades, scientists have explored their use in catalysts, advanced materials, energy technologies, sensors, and drug delivery systems. Even so, researchers have struggled to fully understand how these molecules form because many of the key intermediate...