Quantum mechanics

Algorithm

Magnetic field

Ground state

Pure mathematics

Non-bonding orbital

Field (mathematics)

Receptor

Atomic physics

Unpaired electron

Biochemistry

Inorganic chemistry

Atomic orbital

Physics

Ligand (biochemistry)

Total angular momentum quantum number

Mathematics

Angular momentum coupling

Angular momentum

Ligand field theory

Condensed matter physics

Cobalt

Chemistry

Electron

State (computer science)

Science

Cobalt unfettered by its ligand field Applied magnetic fields induce a field in any compound with unpaired electrons. However, for the induced field to persist once the applied field is gone, the electrons must be configured to manifest orbital angular momentum. Generally, the influence of ligands severely restricts that property in transition metal complexes. Bunting et al. now show that a cobalt ion is just barely affected by two linearly coordinated carbon ligands and, as such, exhibits maximal orbital angular momentum. Although its magnetic properties mainly pertain at very low temperature, its structure offers a more general design principle. Science , this issue p. eaat7319

A linear cobalt(II) complex with maximal orbital angular momentum from a non-Aufbau ground state