Full Idea
Quantum mechanics cannot tell us why a given collection of atoms will adopt one molecular structure (and set of chemical properties) or the other.
Gist of Idea
Quantum theory won't tell us which structure a set of atoms will form
Source
Weisberg/Needham/Hendry (Philosophy of Chemistry [2011], 6.1)
Book Reference
'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.35
A Reaction
Presumably it the 'chance' process of how the atoms are thrown together.
Related Idea
Idea 17473 It is unlikely that chemistry will ever be reduced to physics [Weisberg/Needham/Hendry]