Mulliken's rules

Mulliken's rules help predict how electrons are distributed in complex molecules, especially those with multiple metal atoms and ligands. They focus on the idea that electron density is shared or delocalized over several parts of the molecule rather than confined to a single atom. According to these rules, electrons tend to occupy the lowest energy molecular orbitals, which are formed from combinations of atomic orbitals. This approach helps chemists understand the electronic structure, magnetic properties, and reactivity of coordination compounds, providing insights into how electrons are arranged within complex molecules in a systematic and predictable way.