Molecular orbital theory: assigning electrons

[mcfaker]

Hello,

Is it true that according to molecular orbital theory valence electrons in molecules are not assigned to individual atoms?

Does this mean that even lone pairs are not assigned to inidividual atoms in a molecule , but rather assigned to a specified area across the molecule?


Thanks!

 

[Jorriss]

More or less, yes.

Molecular orbitals are orbitals for the entire molecule.

 

[mcfaker]

Thanks I really appreciate your help!