Note on the Theory of Directed Valence

The recent observation of Zimmerman and Rysselberghe, and Linnett and Pöe that the wave function ψ of free atoms, when put in the form of determinants, exhibit the directional property of valence of these atoms, has been examined. It is pointed out that a consistent theory of directed valence cannot be based on these determinantal wave functions of one single state of the free atom alone.