[en] A multi-reference CI gradient algorithm has been implemented in which the computation of orbital derivatives is efficiently undertaken in the atomic orbital basis. This development circumvents the need to store large numbers of derivatives integrals on disk when one uses multi-reference CI derivative techniques to characterize ground and excited states of polyatomic molecules. With this type of algorithm accurate heats of formation and reactions rate can be ascertained for a much broader range molecular systems. The limitations of these types of studies thus reverts to the feasibility of performing the underlying CI calculation and not the computation of the derivatives of the CI energy. This technique can also be efficiently utilized in the computation of nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements. Finally, the β (B ²Π - X ²Π transition) system in NO was investigated. Interest in the B ²Π state of NO stems from the important role it plays in air after-glow and shock heated air