ABSTRACT

Similarity between quantum systems, such as atoms and molecules, plays a very important role throughout chemistry. Probably the best example is the ubiquitously known periodic system of the elements. In this system, elements are arranged both horizontally and vertically in such a way that in both directions, elements have a high similarity to their neighbors. Another closely related idea is that of transferability. In chemistry, one speaks of transferability of an entity when its properties remain similar between different situations. An example is the transferability of the properties of a functional group between one molecule and another. The main motto of using similarity in chemistry is the assumption that similar molecules have similar properties.