Valance Bond Theory

[isabella hawthorne 3B]

What is the difference between molecular orbital theory and valence bond theory?

[Joseph Dekel 1F]

Molecular Orbital Theory (MOT) considers electrons as delocalized over the entire molecule, forming molecular orbitals from the combination of atomic orbitals. These can be bonding, antibonding, or non-bonding. In contrast, Valence Bond Theory (VBT) views bonding as localized between specific atom pairs, focusing on the overlap of atomic orbitals and the sharing of electrons specifically between bonded atoms. MOT emphasizes electron delocalization across the molecule, while VBT highlights localized electron sharing.

[Lizzy L 3L]

Valence bond theory assumes that electrons are localized to atoms while molecular orbital theory assumes that electrons are delocalized.

[Valeria Morales]

Valence bond theory treats e- in molecules as localized. Molecular orbital theory includes the delocalized e-.