The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules and the Interactive Conception of Chemical Bonding

Quantum physics is the foundation for chemistry, but the concept of chemical bonding is not easily reconciled with quantum mechanical models of molecular systems. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules, developed by Richard F. W. Bader and colleagues, seeks to define bonding using a topological an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophy of science Vol. 86; no. 5; pp. 1307 - 1317
Main Author Esser, Stephen
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge University of Chicago Press 01.12.2019
The University of Chicago Press
Cambridge University Press
Subjects
Attachment
Chemical bonds
Density
Density distribution
Electron density
Molecular modelling
Organic chemistry
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Physics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum theory
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Summary:Quantum physics is the foundation for chemistry, but the concept of chemical bonding is not easily reconciled with quantum mechanical models of molecular systems. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules, developed by Richard F. W. Bader and colleagues, seeks to define bonding using a topological analysis of the electron density distribution. The "bond paths" identified by the analysis are posited as indicators of a special pair-wise physical relationship between atoms. While elements of the theory remain subject to debate, I argue that the quantum theory of atoms in molecules embodies a distinctive interactive conception of bonding that is an attractive alternative to others previously discussed.
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ISSN:0031-8248
1539-767X
DOI:10.1086/705448