The organic chemist and the quantum through the prism of R. B. Woodward

The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics (QM). In this perspective, I highlight that QM is not only a playground for physical chemists but of tremendous value to organic chemists as exemplified in its ever-increasing role in the career of Nobel prizewinner R.B. Woodward. Over three decades, this ranged from the prediction of UV-visible absorption wavelengths arising from electronic excitations to the importance of molecular orbital symmetry and the derivation of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules for pericyclic reactions.