Slater functions disadvantages

In the MO theory, the most reliable approach for the study of reaction pathways perhaps is CASSCF [12, 13], but multi-VBSCF is essentially at the same level with CASSCF [14]. Since a VB wave function can be expanded into the combination of numerous Slater determinants that are used to define configurations in the MO theory, the VB theory provides a very compact, accurate description for chemical reactions. While both MO and VB theories have their own advantages as well as disadvantages, in our opinions, there are some areas where the VB theory is particularly superior to the MO theory 1) the refinement of molecular mechanics force field 2) the development of empirical or semi-empirical VB approaches 3) the impact of intermolecular charge transfer or intramolecular electron delocalization on the structure and properties 4) the validation of classical chemical theories and concepts at the quantitative level 5) the elucidation of chemical reactions and excited states intuitively. 

A chapter in an earlier volume in this series devoted to quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods noted that there are many ways to skin a cat this chapter discusses yet another In quantum chemistry, the dominant theme over many decades has been basis set calculations. The basis sets consist of localized Slater-type orbitals or Gaussian functions that are adapted to provide accurate representations of the electron states in atoms. The main advantage of this approach is that the basis sets typically do not have to be terribly large in size since they already contain a lot of the detailed atomic information. A disadvantage is that it can be difficult to obtain an unambiguously converged result due to factors such as basis set superposition errors. " ... 

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