Wiley Molecular Symmetry

Symmetry and group theory provide us with a formal method for the description of the geometry of objects by describing the patterns in their structure. In chemistry it is a powerful method that underlies many apparently disparate phenomena. Symmetry allows us to accurately describe the types of bonding that can occur between atoms or groups of atoms in molecules. It also governs the transitions that may occur between energy levels in molecular systems, which in turn allows us to predict the absorption properties of molecules and hence their spectra.  Molecular Symmetry lays out the formal language used in the area using illustrative examples of particular molecules throughout. It then applies the ideas of symmetry to describe molecular structure, bonding in molecules and consider the implications in spectroscopy.Topics covered include: Symmetry  elements Symmetry operations and products of operations Point groups used with molecules Point group representations, matrices and basis sets Reducible and irreducible representations Applications in vibrational spectroscopy Symmetry in chemical bonding   Molecular Symmetry is designed to introduce the subject by combining symmetry with spectroscopy in a clear and accessible manner. Each chapter ends with a summary of learning points, a selection of self-test questions, and suggestions for further reading. A set of appendices includes templates for paper models which will help students understand symmetry groups. Molecular Symmetry is a must-have introduction to this fundamental topic for students of chemistry, and will also find a place on the bookshelves of postgraduates and researchers looking for a broad and modern introduction to the subject Review "The work will prove to be a popular choice as a textbook or as an additional resource for group theory and advanced inorganic chemistry courses." ( CHOICE, November 2009) “A major strength of this book is its accessibility to the practically and conceptually minded chemist; the reader is led into the subject through strong visual presentation of the ideas and although the mathematics is by no means ignored, it is presented within an applied context.“ ( The Higher Education Academy Physical Sciences Centre Reviews, May 2009) From the Author Molecular symmetry is an expansion of an undergraduate course taught over the last 11 years at Cardiff University. The first hurdle in teaching symmetry is to visualize the symmetry elements and operations that define molecular point groups. Building models greatly helps here and the first two chapters of this book use illustrations based on chemical line drawings and graphics of ball and stick molecular models, leading through the conventions for labelling axes, planes and so on. The real power of group theory comes from the application of character representations to describe vibrations, atomic orbitals etc. These are introduced through simple examples, such as the s and p-orbitals on the O atom of water for which there are some paper models to build. From there we cover the use of the reduction formula and projection operator method for more complex symmetry analyses and applications in vibrational spectroscopy and molecular orbital theory. The applications chapters are supplemented with discussions of selection rules, example analysis of experimental spectra and illustrations of molecular orbitals generated with a computer package. There is also more detail on related topics, such as the origin of chemical bonding and the idea of electronegativity which help with practical applications of group theory. In the appendices more advanced material is given so that the mathematical background is at hand for the more curious reader. About the Author Dr David Willock, Department of Chemistry, Cardiff University, UKDr Willock is a lecturer in physical chemistry at?Cardiff University. His research focuses on computer simulations and computational chemistry. He tea