The Electronic Spectra of Cata-Condensed Hydrocarbons

Abstract

It is shown how the main features of the spectra of cata-condensed hydrocarbons may be explained on the basis of a very simple model. This, so-called perimeter model was used, in its free-electron variant, by Platt in order to classify the spectra. In this note, a more quantitative version is formulated which enables calculations to be made; it may be considered as an approximation either to an antisymmetrized molecular orbital treatment or to the method of atoms in molecules.