The electronic structures of a number of molecules and ions (${\mathrm{H}}_2$O, N${\mathrm{H}}_3$, C${\mathrm{H}}_4$, C${\mathrm{F}}_4$, ${\mathrm{Cl}}_4$, Cl${\mathrm{O}}_4^{-}$, S${\mathrm{O}}_4^{=}$, Cl${\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$, S${\mathrm{O}}_3^{=}$, C${\mathrm{O}}_2$, and others) are briefly described in terms of one-electron wave functions; other molecular types are easily described in a similar way, and will be discussed in later detailed papers. Many valence phenomena can be understood using these wave functions and a simple rule based on the Pauli principle.

• Received 23 February 1932

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.40.55