Sentence:  A number of semiempirical estimates by various workers lead to the conclusion that the **f bond becomes symmetric when the **f bond <WSD>length</WSD> is about 2.4 to 2.5 A , but aside from the possible example of nickel dimethylglyoxime there have been no convincing reports of symmetric **f bonds . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place