Excess charge of molecules bounded by a constant per nucleus

In plain words

A molecule with several nuclei can also hold extra electrons. Show that the number of extra electrons is at most a fixed constant times the number of nuclei, whatever the nuclear charges and positions.

Precise statement

For $K$ static nuclei with charges $Z_1, ..., Z_K$ at positions $R_1, ..., R_K$, $Z_{\mathrm{tot}} = \sum_k Z_k$, and $N$ electrons with Coulomb interactions, let $N_c$ be the largest N for which the electronic ground state is bound. Prove $N_c \le Z_{\mathrm{tot}} + C K$ with C independent of the $Z_{k}$, $R_{k}$ and K, or give a counterexample family.

What would settle it

A proof of the bound uniform in nuclear charges and positions, or an explicit configuration violating it.

Status in the literature

Lieb's 1984 bound $N_c < 2 Z_{\mathrm{tot}} + K$ holds for all nuclear positions.

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