Understanding bond order is crucial in chemistry, as it determines the strength and stability of chemical bonds. Calculating bond orders in polyatomic molecules, which contain more than two atoms, requires a systematic approach.
Bond order provides insights into molecular properties, reactivity, and electronic structure. It finds applications in various fields, including materials science, drug design, and atmospheric chemistry. The concept of bond order originated with Linus Pauling’s groundbreaking work on valence bond theory in the 1930s.