There are three main types of electronic transitions that can occur in organic molecules:
1. σ → σ* transitions: These involve promotion of electrons from bonding σ orbitals to antibonding σ* orbitals. They require high energy in the far UV region (below 200 nm) and are usually not observed for organic compounds.
2. n → π* transitions: These involve promotion of electrons from non-bonding n orbitals to antibonding π* orbitals. They occur in the near UV region (200-400 nm). Examples include carbonyl (C=O) and nitro (NO2) groups.
3. π → π* transitions: These involve promotion of electrons from bonding