Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry: (Series in Chemical Physics)

Winner of a 2005 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Book Award Molecular symmetry is an easily applied tool for understanding and predicting many of the properties of molecules. Traditionally, students are taught this subject using point groups derived from the equilibrium geometry of the molecule. Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry shows how to set up symmetry groups for molecules using the more general idea of energy invariance. It is no more difficult than using molecular geometry and one obtains molecular symmetry groups. The book provides an introductory description of molecular spectroscopy and quantum mechanics as the foundation for understanding how molecular symmetry is defined and used. The approach taken gives a balanced account of using both point groups and molecular symmetry groups. Usually the point group is only useful for isolated, nonrotating molecules, executing small amplitude vibrations, with no tunneling, in isolated electronic states. However, for the chemical physicist or physical chemist who wishes to go beyond these limitations, the molecular symmetry group is almost always required.

Table of Contents:
PART 1: SPECTROSCOPY AND THE QUANTUM STATES OF MOLECULES  Molecular spectroscopy Quantum mechanics Electronic states Vibrational states Rotational states  PART 2: SYMMETRY AND SYMMETRY GROUPS Geometrical symmetry The symmetry of the Hamiltonian The symmetry of rigid molecules  PART 3: APPLICATIONS OF SYMMETRY Nuclear spin, statistical weights and hyperfine structure The symmetry of electronic wavefunctions The symmetry of rotation-vibration wavefunctions Symmetry selection rules for optical transitions The symmetry groups of non-rigid molecules  PART 4: OTHER SYMMETRIES AND SYMMETRY VIOLATION Other symmetries Symmetry violation  APPENDIX A: Answers to selected problems  APPENDIX B: Character tables  APPENDIX C: Books for further reading

Review :
Winner of a 2005 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Book Award! "For more than 25 years, Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy … and the subsequent second edition … have been this reviewer's most trusted authority and treasured references on the role of symmetry in molecular spectroscopy … . The book starts with a beautifully concise yet complete review of spectroscopy and quantum mechanics … . A fine balance is struck in the level of detail provided. … Summing up: highly recommended." - CHOICE Reviews online "This book provides a welcome slant on molecular symmetry, for those who worry that rigid ball and stick point group arguments to ignore the geometrical distortions accompanying molecular vibrations. In summary, this book is welcome, first as an illuminating graduate text and also as an addition to the shelves of anyone who is responsible for teaching molecular symmetry at whatever level." - Mark Child, Chemistry World, March 2005 "This book is of primary importance in training new scientists in the field of molecular spectroscopy and quantum chemistry, i.e., in branches of modern science that attract increasing interest nowadays. It is particularly important that reading this book helps readers to form their correct general scientific philosophy." - Dr. Yurii N. Panchenko, Moscow State University, Russia "As a resource for a starting out research students and other workers in electronic structure and bonding and high resolution spectroscopy it would serve as a very useful introduction to the more advanced aspects of symmetry. It would be a welcome presence on the research lab bookshelves, and would hopefully show signs of much use." – Nigel A. Young, Department of Chemistry, University of Hull, in Physical Sciences Educational Review, Vol. 6, No. 1 "Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry is an excellent book. …The title thus belies the true content of the book; it covers so much more than most other books on molecular symmetry. As such it should be an essential text for any graduate student or established researcher working in the area of high-resolution spectroscopy. …Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry is exceptionally well written and up to the very high standards set by the authors in their previous texts. It is clearly written and the figures and diagrams are beautifully produced. There are numerous figures of orbital shapes, energy-level diagrams and molecular spectra. Readers will also particularly appreciate the way each concept is illustrated by examples of application to real molecular systems. Fundamentals of Molecular Symmetry has my unqualified recommendation." -Dr. D. Smith, Contemporary Physics