valence bond theory

synonym: VB theory
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08878
Quantum mechanics theory of chemical bonding that treats electrons as being assigned to individual bonds between particular atoms.
Notes:
  1. The VB theory views a chemical bond as a result of weak coupling (overlapping) of atomic or hybridized atomic orbitals or of both and describes delocalization of electrons (inherent in molecular orbital theory) as a result of resonance mixing of two or more possible energetically equivalent or nearly equivalent structures.
  2. VB theory and molecular orbital theory are closely related methods that become equivalent when extended enough. Increasing mixing of VB orbitals gives in the limit extended molecular orbitals.
Source:
PAC, 2022, 94, 15. (Glossary of terms relating to electronic, photonic and magnetic properties of polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)) on page 50 [Terms] [Paper]