Molecular orbital theory

Molecular orbital theory is a method for determining molecular structure in which electrons are not assigned to individual bonds between atoms, but are treated as moving under the influence of the nuclei in the whole molecule.

• Molecular orbital theory is a method for determining molecular structure in which electrons are not assigned to individual bonds between atoms, but are treated as moving under the influence of the nuclei in the whole molecule.

Molecular orbital is a function that describes the wave-like behavior of a single electron in a molecule. A polyelectronic wave-function is expressed in terms (as a product or a determinant) of MOs. The use of the term "orbital" was first used in English by Robert S. Mulliken in 1925 as the English translation of Schrödinger's use of the German word, 'Eigenfunktion'.

• Molecular orbital is a function that describes the wave-like behavior of a single electron in a molecule. A polyelectronic wave-function is expressed in terms (as a product or a determinant) of MOs. The use of the term "orbital" was first used in English by Robert S. Mulliken in 1925 as the English translation of Schrödinger's use of the German word, 'Eigenfunktion'.

It was introduced in 1929 by Lennard-Jones with the description of bonding in the diatomic molecules of the first main row of the periodic table, but had been used earlier by Pauling for H2+.

• It was introduced in 1929 by Lennard-Jones with the description of bonding in the diatomic molecules of the first main row of the periodic table, but had been used earlier by Pauling for H2+.

(1s1+1s2)

• (1s1+1s2)

• (1s1-1s2)

Justification:

• Justification:

• s and pZ both are of same symmetry and appear in the same linear combinations (MOs); hybridization allows anticipating.

• hybridization aims combining AOs, each hybrid maximizing the interaction with a partner (here the symmetry orbital on Hs) and minimizing those with others. The idea is that we can thus separate the interactions with different partners. If correct, this is useful and allows transferability (replacing a substituent by another one involving the same hybrid).

• Mathematically a set of hybrids is equivalent to a set of canonic orbitals

• Failure:

• It is not possible to rigorously separate the interactions with different partners. Hybrids interact with each other.

• Existing symmetries reappear if interactions between hybrids is included.

Pictorial

• Pictorial

• Anticipating AO combinations within MOs

• Global density

• Transferable: Analysis through substituents

• Writing VB structures