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"Noncovalent Interaction": A Chemical Misnomer That Inhibits Proper Understanding of Hydrogen Bonding, Rotation
1Theoretical Chemistry Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
The term "noncovalent interactions" is misleading for describing chemical bonding phenomena like hydrogen bonds. These interactions are fundamentally rooted in electronic covalency and resonance, necessitating a unified pedagogical approach to chemical bonding.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Chemical Education
Background:
- The term "noncovalent interactions" is widely used but pedagogically problematic.
- It often leads to oversimplified explanations of chemical bonding phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the terminology of "noncovalent interactions" in chemistry.
- To advocate for a unified understanding of all chemical bonding phenomena based on orbital-level concepts.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of chemical bonding theories.
- Critique of existing pedagogical approaches in introductory chemistry.
Main Results:
- "Noncovalent interactions" are shown to be irreducible consequences of electronic covalency and resonance.
- Current nomenclature perpetuates a misleading bifurcation of chemical bonding concepts.
Conclusions:
- The dichotomy between "covalent" and "noncovalent" interactions should be re-evaluated.
- A unified pedagogy based on orbital interactions is recommended for a more accurate understanding of molecular and supramolecular bonding.
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