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Is the problem of molecular structure just the quantum measurement problem?

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Abstract

In a recent article entitled “The problem of molecular structure just is the measurement problem”, Alexander Franklin and Vanessa Seifert argue that insofar as the quantum measurement problem is solved, the problems of molecular structure are resolved as well. The purpose of the present article is to show that such a claim is too optimistic. Although the solution of the quantum measurement problem is relevant to how the problem of molecular structure is faced, such a solution is not sufficient to account for the structure of molecules as understood in the field of chemistry.

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Acknowledgements

We are strongly indebted to Brian Sutcliffe and Guy Woolley for devoting their time to discussing the problem of molecular structure with us and for reading this article: their comments are always a source of invaluable teachings. This work was supported by grant PICT-04519 of the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica of Argentina, and grants from CONICET, Universidad Austral, and Universidad de Buenos Aires.

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  1. CONICET—Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Sebastian Fortin & Olimpia Lombardi

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  1. Sebastian Fortin
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  2. Olimpia Lombardi
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Correspondence to Olimpia Lombardi.

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Fortin, S., Lombardi, O. Is the problem of molecular structure just the quantum measurement problem?. Found Chem 23, 379–395 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-021-09402-x

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