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Nature 444, 557 (30 November 2006) | doi:10.1038/444557a; Published online 29 November 2006

Organic Chemistry: Molecules in quarantine

Julius Rebek, Jr1

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Intermediate compounds are often produced during a chemical reaction, but they are too short-lived to be easily observed. It seems that a molecular pyramid can persuade them to stick around for a little longer.

The path from starting materials to products in chemical reactions often involves many steps. Intermediate compounds are the resting stages along this path, but they exist in vanishingly small concentrations and can rarely be observed.

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