The correspondence between the resonance and molecular orbital theories

Abstract

The resonance theory of organic chemistry is critically examined from a theoretical view­point. It is stressed that this theory is not rigorously founded on the quantum-mechanical valence bond method, but involves additional assumptions which cannot be defended. The practical success of the resonance theory must therefore be explained in some other way. It is here shown that a remarkable correspondence exists between the resonance theory and the molecular orbital method; and it is suggested that the resonance theory owes its success more to this correspondence than to the validity of its own premises.