This is an exam question. I am to construct the orbital and state correlation diagram for one of the reaction below (disrotation or conratation). Also, I should explain whether the reaction is thermally or photochemically allowed. [![enter image description here][1]][1] I know the procedure to these kinds of problems: 1. Draw (Hückel) π orbitals of the reactant 2. Draw relevant orbitals of the product. Here: π and newly formed σ orbitals 3. Identify the symmetry element that is preserved through the reaction (common for reactant and product) 4. Assign symmetry labels to orbitals 5. Correlate orbitals of same symmetry I know what the molecular orbitals of the reactant looks like, but I am unsure about those of the product. Here's what I have [![enter image description here][2]][2] Using the vertical reflection plane perpendicular the screen, I get the MO's of both reactant and product (in the order from bottom to top) to have the following symmetries: S, A, S, A, S. However, the orbital correlation diagram will be very boring if this is correct, and the reaction will be allowed both thermally and photochemically. So are the product orbitals correct? I just assumed that an in-phase and out-of-phase combination of the π orbitals on C1 and C5 lead to the desired σ orbitals. Or perhaps my ordering is incorrect? Final orbital correlation diagram: [![enter image description here][3]][3] --- Concerning the state correlation diagram, I look at the electron configurations of the states of interest, which I take to be $S_0$, $S_1$, and $S_2$. I find the symmetry of each state by multiplying the symmetry of each electron in every MO. However, should I just draw straight lines between each state? The corresponding states are of the same symmetry, so no avoided crossings occur. I don't see whether the reaction is thermally or photochemically allowed from the state correlation diagram. Or did I do something wrong? Electron configurations: [![enter image description here][4]][4] Non-finished state correlation diagram: [![enter image description here][5]][5] [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/lRCHV.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/tqbOn.jpg [3]: https://i.sstatic.net/I2ziU.jpg [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/lgLsp.jpg [5]: https://i.sstatic.net/CResf.jpg