Section 3: Bonding Theories

The different molecular representations presented in Part 3, Section 1 account for the valence electrons in the molecule and can be used to illustrate their 3D shape. However, they are simply formalisms and do not provide a foundation that one can use to predict (1) molecular shapes, (2) electronic structure in bonding frameworks, and (3) reactivity. This section is going to focus on the general bonding theories upon which all future organic chemistry will be based. The better you understand these theories, including the assumptions and limitations of each theory, the more all the pieces of organic chemistry will fit together and the less memorization you will need.