A Conversation on VB vs MO Theory: A Never-Ending Rivalry?

Roald Hoffmann*, Sason Shaik, Philippe C. Hiberty

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantum mechanics has provided chemistry with two general theories, valence bond (VB) theory and molecular orbital (MO) theory. The two theories were developed at about the same time, but quickly diverged into rival schools that have competed, sometimes fervently, on charting the mental map and epistemology of chemistry. Three practitioners of MO and VB theory talk -fighting a little, trying to understand - of the past and present of these two approaches to describing bonding in molecules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)750-756
Number of pages7
JournalAccounts of Chemical Research
Volume36
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2003

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Conversation on VB vs MO Theory: A Never-Ending Rivalry?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this