A perturbation approach to chemical bonding. Part II. Some s-, p-, and d-orbital interactions

Abstract

The interactions between orbitals of n symmetry-related ligand atoms (n= 1, 2, 3, and 4) and those of a central atom are considered in detail using second-order perturbation theory. It is shown that this approach leads to an additivity of bond energies and sterically determined molecular structures, thus constituting an approach to molecular bonding which is compatible with the Gillespie–Nyholm discussion of molecular stereochemistry.