The molecular structure hypothesis - that a molecule is a collection of atoms linked by a network of bonds - was forged in the crucible of nineteenth century experimental chemistry and has continued to serve as the principal means of ordering and classifying the observations of chemistry. There is a difficulty with the hypothesis, however, in that it is not related directly to the physics which governs the motions of the nuclei and electrons that make up the atoms and the bonds. It is the purpose of this important book - now available in paperback for the first time - to show that a theory can be developed to underpin the molecular structure hypothesis - that the atoms in a molecule are real, with properties predicted and defined by the laws of quantum mechanics can be incorporated into the resulting theory - a theory of atoms in molecules. The book is aimed at those scientists responsible for performing the experiments and collecting the observations on the properties of matter at the atomic level, in the belief that the transformation of qualitative concepts into a qualitative theory will serve to deepen our understanding of chemistry.

Richard F.W. Bader's profile page

Richard F. W. Bader is at McMaster University.

'... it has carved out a niche in the literature as an historic landmark contribution to the comprehension of the chemical and physical properties of molecules ... This paperback edition is reasonably priced and deserves to be recommended to all students of chemistry.' Journal of Molecular Structure (Theochem) 360, 1996, 175

'The book presents an original and interesting viewpoint on a wide range of chemical phenomena. It should be of interest to all chemists who are concerned with the structures and the energies of molecules.' Kenneth B. Wiberg, Yale University, Structural Chemistry, Vol. 3, No. 4, 1992

'This book is a valuable, scholarly work and is a useful contribution to the quantum chemistry library. This reasonably priced paperback edition should now enable many more chemists to enjoy discovering how theory can enlighten their understanding of molecules.' D.S. Urch, Chemistry in Britain, May 1995