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The Generalized Valence Bond Description of the Pi Electron States of Conjugated Molecules

Citation

Levin, George Benjamin (1974) The Generalized Valence Bond Description of the Pi Electron States of Conjugated Molecules. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/n2qd-5z12. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:11052009-154826608

Abstract

Using the generalized valence bond (GVB) wave function, the pi electron systems of ethylene, allyl cation, allyl radical, s-trans-1,3- butadiene and benzene were examined. The results were in good agreement with full configuration interaction calculations demonstrating the quantitative accuracy of the GVB method. The GVB description of the valence states systems includes a description of resonance and provides a rigorous quantum mechanical description of resonance in terms of spin couplings. It was found that the resonance stabilization energy is due to two effects, delocalization of orbitals onto additional centers while still maintaining their basically localized nature, and spin coupling optimization in a manner identical to the valence bond description of resonance.

It was found that the GVB wave function imposed restrictions upon the orbitals of excited states. To remove these restrictions the GVB wave function was generalized by including a spatial projection operator. The GVB(SP) wave function imposes no restrictions upon individual orbitals and represents the most general independent particle wave function as yet presented. The GVB(SP) method was used to examine allyl radical and butadiene. All states were described by localized orbitals and energies were in excellent agreement with configuration interaction results. A molecules-in-molecules model using ethylene pi electron states was found to provide a qualitative description of all the states of allyl radical and butadiene examined.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry and Physics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Minor Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Goddard, William A., III
Thesis Committee:
  • Goddard, William A., III (chair)
Defense Date:15 April 1974
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:11052009-154826608
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:11052009-154826608
DOI:10.7907/n2qd-5z12
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5357
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:17 Nov 2009 22:18
Last Modified:16 Apr 2021 22:34

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