At the heart of coordination chemistry lies the coordinate bond, in its simplest sense arising from donation of a pair of electrons from a donor atom to an empty orbital on a central metalloid or metal. Metals overwhelmingly exist as their cations, but these are rarely met ‘naked’ – they are clothed in an array of other atoms, molecules or ions that involve coordinate covalent bonds (hence the name coordination compounds). These metal ion complexes are ubiquitous in nature, and are central to an array of natural and synthetic reactions. Written in a highly readable, descriptive and accessible style Introduction to Coordination Chemistry describes properties of coordination compounds such as colour, magnetism and reactivity as well as the logic in their assembly and nomenclature. It is illustrated with many examples of the importance of coordination chemistry in real life, and includes extensive references and a bibliography. Introduction to Coordination Chemistry is a comprehensive and insightful discussion of one of the primary fields of study in Inorganic Chemistry for both undergraduate and non-specialist readers.

The Sixth Edition of this classic work comprises the most comprehensive and current guide to infrared and Raman spectra of inorganic, organometallic, bioinorganic, and coordination compounds. From fundamental theories of vibrational spectroscopy to applications in a variety of compound types, this has been extensively updated. New topics include the theoretical calculations of vibrational frequencies (DFT method), chemical synthesis by matrix co-condensation reactions, time-resolved Raman spectroscopy, and more. This volume is a core reference for chemists and medical professionals working with infrared or Raman spectroscopies and an excellent textbook for graduate courses.

This book addresses the nature of the chemical bond in inorganic and coordination compounds. In particular, it explains how general symmetry rules can describe chemical bond of simple inorganic molecules. Since the complexity of studying even simple molecules requires approximate methods, this book introduces a quantum mechanical treatment taking into account the geometric peculiarities of the chemical compound. In the case of inorganic molecules, a convenient approximation comes from symmetry, which constrains both the electronic energies and the chemical bonds. The book also gives special emphasis on symmetry rules and compares the use of symmetry operators with that of Hamiltonian operators. Where possible, the reactivity of molecules is also rationalized in terms of these symmetry properties. As practical examples, electronic spectroscopy and magnetism give experimental confirmation of the predicted electronic energy levels. Adapted from university lecture course notes, this book is the ideal companion for any inorganic chemistry course dealing with group theory.

During the course of far-infrared investigations of inorganic and coordina tion compounds at Argonne National Laboratory in the years 1962-1966, it became apparent that no suitable book existed which correlated and dis cussed the important vibrations occurring in this region for these molecules. Early in 1967 the initial steps were taken to write such a book. Then, in 1968, an excellent text by Professor David M. Adams entitled Metal-Ligand and Related Vibrations was published. At this point serious consideration was given to discontinuing work on this book. However, upon examination of Adams' book, it became clear that the references covered only the period to 1966. This field of research is accelerating so tremendously, and the period 1966-1969 has seen so many new studies, that upon reconsideration it was decided to continue writing this text. The references in this book, particularly in the last several chapters, include many papers published in 1969. However, the proliferation of the far-infrared literature has made it impossible to present all the published material that has any bearing on the subject. Many titles do not pertain primarily to the far-infrared region as such, and some of this research has been omitted for this reason. Organometallic compounds have been neglected since the author feels that adequate reviews of that subject are available. Other studies may be missing simply because, owing to space limitations, only the more important researches could be considered. Of course, "importance" may, in this case, reflect the author's interest and prejudices.

GEORGE CHRISTOU Indiana University, Bloomington I am no doubt representative of a large number of current inorganic chemists in having obtained my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the 1970s. It was during this period that I began my continuing love affair with this subject, and the fact that it happened while I was a student in an organic laboratory is beside the point. I was always enchanted by the more physical aspects of inorganic chemistry; while being captivated from an early stage by the synthetic side, and the measure of creation with a small c that it entails, I nevertheless found the application of various theoretical, spectroscopic and physicochemical techniques to inorganic compounds to be fascinating, stimulating, educational and downright exciting. The various bonding theories, for example, and their use to explain or interpret spectroscopic observations were more or less universally accepted as belonging within the realm of inorganic chemistry, and textbooks of the day had whole sections on bonding theories, magnetism, kinetics, electron-transfer mechanisms and so on. However, things changed, and subsequent inorganic chemistry teaching texts tended to emphasize the more synthetic and descriptive side of the field. There are a number of reasons for this, and they no doubt include the rise of diamagnetic organometallic chemistry as the dominant subdiscipline within inorganic chemistry and its relative narrowness vis-d-vis physical methods required for its prosecution.

Coordination chemistry is the study of compounds formed between metal ions and other neutral or negatively charged molecules. This book offers a series of investigative inorganic laboratories approached through systematic coordination chemistry. It not only highlights the key fundamental components of the coordination chemistry field, it also exemplifies the historical development of concepts in the field. In order to graduate as a chemistry major that fills the requirements of the American Chemical Society, a student needs to take a laboratory course in inorganic chemistry. Most professors who teach and inorganic chemistry laboratory prefer to emphasize coordination chemistry rather than attempting to cover all aspects of inorganic chemistry; because it keeps the students focused on a cohesive part of inorganic chemistry, which has applications in medicine, the environment, molecular biology, organic synthesis, and inorganic materials.