Increase your understanding of molecular properties and reactions with this accessible textbook The study of organic chemistry hinges on an understanding and capacity to predict molecular properties and reactions. Molecular Orbital Theory is a model grounded in quantum mechanics deployed by chemists to describe electron organization within a chemical structure. It unlocks some of the most prevalent reactions in organic chemistry. Basic Concepts of Orbital Theory in Organic Chemistry provides a concise, accessible overview of this theory and its applications. Beginning with fundamental concepts such as the shape and relative energy of atomic orbitals, it proceeds to describe the way these orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals, with important ramifications for molecular properties. The result is a work which helps students and readers move beyond localized bonding models and achieve a greater understanding of organic chemical interactions. In Basic Concepts of Orbital Theory in Organic Chemistry readers will also find: Comprehensive explorations of stereoelectronic interactions and sigmatropic, cheletropic, and electrocyclic reactions, Detailed discussions of hybrid orbitals, bond formation in atomic orbitals, the Hückel Molecular Orbital Method, and the conservation of molecular orbital symmetry Sample exercises for organic chemistry students to help reinforce and retain essential concepts Basic Concepts of Orbital Theory in Organic Chemistry is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry, particularly organic chemistry.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction and History of Molecular Orbital Theory. Introduction. Nature of electromagnetic radiation. The wave nature of light. Electromagnetic spectrum. The distinction between energy and matter. The particle nature of light Mass and momentum associated with a light quantum Wave–particle duality Application of quantum mechanics to the atomic structure Schrödinger's equation Hydrogenic orbitals Why doesn't the electron fall into the nucleus? Bohr's legacy and the quantum mechanical model. Bibliography Exercises Chapter 2. Hybrid Orbitals Introduction Hybridisation theory Wavefunctions associated to hybrid orbitals. Procedure to build a hybrid orbital. Orthogonality of wave functions (orbitals) The bent bond or tau model Effects of hybridisation Bibliography Exercises Chapter 3. Bond Formation from Atomic Orbitals Introduction Mixing of s orbitals. Mixing of p orbitals. Factors affecting the magnitude of orbital interactions. Bonding in homo-diatomic molecules. Bonding in hetero-diatomic molecules. Bonding in triatomic molecules. Conjugated systems. Bibliography Exercises Chapter 4. The Hückel Molecular Orbital Method (HMO) Simplified procedure for the application of Hückel´s method. Application of Hückel´s method: several examples. Application to larger molecules Scope and limitations of the HMO method. HMO in cyclic p-systems Energy diagrams for acyclic polyenes p-Systems containing heteroatoms. The shape of the molecular orbitals. Contribution of the atomic orbitals in a molecular orbital. Symmetry simplifications in alternant hydrocarbons (AH) Estimation of MO energies and coefficients Bond orders (Pij) Charge distribution (qi). Index of free valence (Fi). Bibliography Exercises Chapter 5. Interactions between molecular orbitals: chemical reactions. Introduction Molecular orbital theory of selected organic reactions. Summary Bibliography Exercises Chapter 6: Some Applications of Orbital Theory in Organic Chemistry Introduction Ultraviolet spectroscopy Ionisation potentials Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) Interactions between p Orbitals Interactions between n-orbitals ESCA spectroscopy Charge transfer complexes (EDA complexes) Bibliography Exercises Chapter 7: Conservation of Molecular Orbital Symmetry. Introduction to Pericyclic Reactions: Cycloaddition Reactions Introduction Concerted reactions Pericyclic reactions Principles of the conservation of orbital symmetry Correlation diagrams of molecular orbitals Analysis of the symmetry of the HOMO/LUMO frontier orbitals Analysis of the nodal properties at the transition state of a cyclisation reaction. Cycloaddition reactions Starting material ? product correlation diagram HOMO/LUMO interactions Nodal properties of the transition state Two ethylene molecules ? cyclobutane Correlation diagram starting materials ? product HOMO/LUMO interaction Supra- or antarafacial topicity in cycloaddition reactions Effect of Secondary Interactions between molecular orbitals Bibliography Exercises Chapter 8:Cheletropic Reactions. Introduction. [2+2] Cheletropic reactions. [4+2] Cheletropic reactions. [6+2] Cheletropic reactions. Bibliography Exercises Chapter 9: Electrocyclic Reactions. Introduction. 1,3-Butadiene  cyclobutene 1,3,5-Hexatriene  1,3-cyclohexadiene Photochemical electrocyclic reactions. Bibliography Exercises Chapter 10: Sigmatropic Reactions Introduction [3,3] Sigmatropic rearrangements [1,3] Sigmatropic rearrangements of alkyl groups [1,5] Sigmatropic rearrangements of alkyl groups [1,2] Sigmatropic rearrangements of alkyl groups. [1,3] Sigmatropic rearrangements of hydrogen [1,5] Sigmatropic rearrangements of hydrogen Bibliography Exercises Chapter 11:1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions. Introduction. Classification of 1,3-dipolar reactants FMO analysis Analysis of nodal properties in the transition state Types of 1,3-DPCA reactions and regioselectivity 1,3-DPCA reactions with diazoalkanes 1,3-DPCA reactions with nitrones 1,3-DPCA reactions with azomethine ylides as the 1,3-dipolar reactant. 1,3-DPCA reactions with nitrile oxides as 1,3-dipolar reactants. 1,3-DPCA reactions with azides, osmium tetroxide and ozone Bibliography Exercises Chapter 12: Stereoelectronic interactions. Introduction Bibliography Exercises