Many courses dealing with the material in this text are called "Applications of Group Theory." Emphasizing the central role and primary importance of symmetry in the applications, Symmetry in Bonding and Spectra enables students to handle applications, particularly applications to chemical bonding and spectroscopy. It contains the essential background in vectors and matrices for the applications, along with concise reviews of simple molecular orbital theory, ligand field theory, and treatments of molecular shapes, as well as some quantum mechanics. Solved examples in the text illustrate theory and applications or introduce special points. Extensive problem sets cover the important methods and applications, with the answers in the appendix.

Preface. The Importance of Symmetry in Chemistry. Properties of Groups. Vectors, Matrices, and Group Representations. Symmetry Properties of Hamiltonians, Eigenfunctions, and Atomic Orbitals. Spectral Terms and Stereoisomers. Bonding in Simple AX<->n Molecules. Multicenter Bonding. Bonding in Transition Metal Complexes. Electronic Spectroscopy. Vibrational Spectroscopy. Symmetry-Controlled Reactions. Character Tables. Character Tables for Some Double Groups. Correlation Tables for the Species of a Group and Its Subgroups. Answers to Problems. Index.