A distribution of the electrons of an atom or a
molecular entity over a set of one-electron wavefunctions called
orbitals, according to the Pauli principle. From one configuration several states with different multiplicities may result. For example, the ground
electronic configuration of the oxygen molecule
(
O2) is:
,
,
,
,
,
,
resulting in the
,
and
multiplets.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1099
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223
(Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996))
on page 2233
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A.Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
doi:10.1351/goldbook.
