Central themes of molecular orbital (MO) theory
A molecule is viewed on a quantum mechanical level as a collection of nuclei surrounded by delocalized molecular orbitals.
Atomic wave functions are summed to obtain molecular wave functions.
If wave functions reinforce each other, a bonding MO is formed (region of high electron density exists between the nuclei).
If wave functions cancel each other, an antibonding MO is formed (a node of zero electron density occurs between the nuclei).
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