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Current trends in the development of A. M. Butlerov’s theory of chemical structure

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Abstract

The chemical structure concept developed by A. M. Butlerov supplemented by the views on spatial (J. H. van’t-Hoff and J. A. Le Bel) and electronic (G. Lewis) configurations of molecules constitute the basis of the classical theory of chemical structure. The advent of quantum mechanics and development of the computer chemistry extended and enhanced the conceptual basis of theoretical chemistry, which nevertheless retains its independent value and cannot be reduced to direct physical definitions. The review deals with the evolution of the key concepts of the classical theory of chemical structure and introduction of new notions and approaches to analysis of the structure and reactivity problems, which is associated with the advent of the quantum mechanics and quantum chemistry views and methods.

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  1. Research Institute of Physical and Organic Chemistry, Southern Federal University, 194/2 prosp. Stachki, 344090, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation

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Based on the proceedings of the International Congress on Organic Chemistry dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Butlerov’s Theory of Chemical Structure of Organic compounds (September 19–23, 2011, Kazan, Russia).

Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1251–1275, July, 2012.

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Minkin, V.I. Current trends in the development of A. M. Butlerov’s theory of chemical structure. Russ Chem Bull 61, 1265–1290 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11172-012-0174-7

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