Why Explain or Predict Known Molecular Structures?

Guy Lamoureux and John Ogilvie

International Journal of Chemistry, 2025, vol. 17, issue 1, 61

Abstract: Chemical models in the 21st century have not advanced from the 20th century. Two examples in every modern textbook are the models of Hybrid Atomic Orbitals (HAO) and Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR). These obsolete models are still used to describe, predict and explain known molecular structures in General and Organic Chemistry. VSEPR and HAO cannot explain structures and their use is more theology than theory. The use of HAO is shown to be anachronistic, both in a logical and a practical sense. VSEPR is incompatible with HAO and modern chemistry theory. Both these models should be eliminated in chemical education. How will we describe, predict and explain molecular structures to students without these models? There are many variations of description that can be implemented. The point of this article, in particular, is to show that explanation and prediction are not required. Known molecules are data and do not need to be explained nor predicted.

Date: 2025
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