Elements of Molecular Symmetry

1. Edition February 2000
XII, 292 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
This highly-readable book teaches the language of symmetry and its importance in chemical research. Including coverage of more rigorous and advanced topics not found in other books, this timely work provides an up-to-date and easy-to-follow treatment of the application of group therapy to molecular symmetry along with examples.
A unique, much-needed introduction to molecular symmetry and group theory Elements of Molecular Symmetry takes the topic of group theory a step further than most books, presenting a quantum chemistry treatment useful for computational, quantum, physical, and inorganic chemists alike. Clearly explaining how general groups and group algebra describe molecules, Yngve Öhrn first develops the theory, then provides coverage not only for point groups, but also permutation groups, space groups, and Lie groups. With over three decades of teaching experience, Dr. Öhrn brings to the discussion unprecedented depth and clarity, incorporating rigorous topics at a level accessible to anyone with basic knowledge of calculus and algebra. This unique and timely book:
* Extends coverage to molecular orbital theory,
* Utilizes powerful examples to illustrate basic concepts
* Contains introductory material on space groups and continuous groups, including point-group character tables
* Provides a solid background for exploring the theoretical literature
Preliminaries about the Symmetric Group.
Algebra Structure.
Outer and Inner Direct Products.
Subduced and Induced Representations.
Point Groups.
Character Tables of Some Point Groups.
Connection to Quantum Chemistry.
The Symmetric Group.
Groups of Constants of Motion.
Coupling of Identical Particles in a Field of Given Symmetry.
Molecular Orbital Theory.
Electron Correlation.
Molecular Vibrations.
Space Groups.
Continuous Groups.
Example of a Noncompact Group and Algebra.
Bibliography.
Problems.
Index.