On Quantum-Mechanical Methods in Valence Theory.

In April of 1950, at the Detroit ACS meeting, a group of chemists and physicists fell into a discussion of the inadequacies of valence theory, and what might be done to improve it. The need felt most acutely was a reliable table of the difficult integrals which inevitably turn up in valence calculations. Everyone agreed that a conference on such integrals would be desirable, both to find out which integrals would be most useful, and to avoid duplication of effort in computing them. Actually, the evaluation of integrals is not the only difficulty in quantum-mechanical valance theory, and as the idea of a conference developed, the range of topics was broadened. R. S. Mulliken of the University of Chicago took this idea and carried out the considerable work of organizing a conference. In this he was aided by the advice and cooperation of D. A. MacInnes, Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Scientific Conferences. And so, with the sponsorship of the National Academy of Sciences and the financial support and encouragement of the Office of Naval Research, a Conference on Quantum-Mechanical Methods in Valence Theory was held on September 8 to 10, 1951, at Ram's Head Inn, Shlter Island, Long Island, with Mulliken as Conference Chairman. Invitations were issued to a number of chemists and physicists, both in the United States and overseas. The following attended: