AbstractThe theory of interference effects between preresonance scattering from an intense electronic transition and resonance scattering from a forbidden electronic transition is formulated. A simple closed formula for the cross‐section of a totaliy‐symmetrical fundamental line is derived for the case where the vibrational structure of both electronic transitions is smeared out. This formula reproduces very well recently obtained experimental excitation profiles in such complex compiunds as tris (ethylenediamine) cobalt (III) chloride and tetrabromopalladate