Assignment of the electronic transitions in benzene

The problem of the assignment of π-electronic transitions in benzene is discussed using all criteria presently available. It is shown that based on this information a few different assignments are impossible to exclude. The correct assignment ³B_1u < ³E_1u < ¹B_2u < ³B_2u < ¹B_1u < ³E⁺_2g < ¹E_1u < ¹E^?_2g < ³E^?_2g has been selected as result of theoretical considerations based on a new approach to the semi-empirical π-electron theory. The results confirm the adequacy of the π-electron model for energy level calculations, and emphasise the fundamental importance of multi-excited configurations.