The French chemist Marcelin Berthelot put forward a classical and by now an often cited sentence revealing the quintessence of the chemical science: "La Chimie cree son objet." This is certainly true because the largest number of molecular compounds were and are continuously synthesized by chemists themselves. However, modern computational quantum chemistry has reached a state of maturity that one can safely say: "La Chimie Theorique cree son objet" as well. Indeed, modern theoretical chemistry is able today to provide reliable results on elusive systems such as short living species, reactive intermediates and molecules which will perhaps never be synthesized because of one or another type of instability. It is capable of yielding precious information on the nature of the transition states, reaction paths etc. Additionally, computational chemistry gives some details of the electronic and geometric structure of molecules which remain hidden in experimental examinations. Hence, it follows that powerful numerical techniques have substantially enlarged the domain of classical chemistry. On the other hand, interpretive quantum chemistry has provided a conceptual framework which enabled rationalization and understanding of the precise data offered either by experiment or theory. It is modelling which gives a penetrating insight into the chemical phenomena and provides order in raw experimental results which would otherwise represent just a large catalogue of unrelated facts.

Self-assembly is undoubtedly a topic of special interest in current chemistry and is related to very wide scientific areas. Recent progress in this field seems to be featured by the construction of well-defined discrete systems exploiting complementary hydrogen bonding as well as coordination bonding. Seven leading international experts introduce the current topics in this very interesting field, focusing on two major subjects: organic assemblies and inorganic assemblies. All researchers who are interested in molecular recognition, material science, nanotechnology, and supramolecular chemistry will welcome this book as an inspiring source for creative research ideas.

How did life begin on the Earth? The units of life are cells, which can be defined as bounded systems of molecules that capture energy and nutrients from the environment -- systems that expand, reproduce, and evolve over time, often into more complex systems. This book is the proceedings of a unique meeting, sponsored by NATO and held in Maratea, Italy, that brought together for the first time an international group of investigators who share an interest in how molecules self-assemble into supramolecular structures, and how those structures may have contributed to the origin of life. The book is written at a moderately technical level, appropriate for use by researchers and by students in upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in biochemistry and molecular biology. The overall interest of its subject matter provides an excellent introduction for students who wish to understand how the foundational knowledge of chemistry and physics can be applied to one of the most fundamental questions now facing the scientific community. The editors are pioneers in defining what we mean by the living state, particularly the manner in which simple molecular systems can assume complex associations and functions, including the ability to reproduce. Each chapter of the book presents an up-to-date report of highly significant research. Two of the authors received medals from the National Academy of Science USA in 1994, and other research reported in the book has been featured in internationally recognized journals such Scientific American, Time, and Discover.

Contents G. Blasse, "Vibrational Structure in the" "Luminescence Spectra of Ions in Solids."-
A. Ceulemans, "The Doublet States in Chromium(III) Complexes." "A Shell-Theoretic View."-
H.-H. Schmidtke, "Vibrational Progressions in Electronic" "Spectra of Complex Compounds Indicating Strong Vibronic" "Coupling."-
P.E. Hoggard, "Sharp-Line Electronic Spectra and Metal-Ligand" "Geometry."- M. Colombo, A. Hauser, H.U. Gudel, "Competition" "Between Ligand Centered and Charge Transfer Lowest Excited" "States in bis Cyclometalated Rh3+ and Ir3+ Complexes."- D. Wexler, J.I. Zink, C. Reber, "Spectroscopic Manifestations of" "Potential" "Surface Coupling Along Normal Coordinates in " "Transition" " Metal Complexes.""

Some of the more interesting elements in the chemistry of life are less commonly occuring ones such as nickel and molybdenum. This volume elucidates the chemistry of these elements in important enzymes and also explores the chemistry of elements that do not normally occur in biological molecules, but are useful in probing their structure and function. Topics include: Acquisition and transport of Ni. Mechanistic action of Ni in a wide variety of enzymes. Multielectron redox systems involving pterins in proteins. Chemistry of the pterin and flavin complexes of Mo, Fe, Cu and Ru ions. Replacement of iron in transferrin by a number of other metal ions. Use of polypyridyl complexes of ruthenium and other transition metals as probes of nucleic acid structure through photochemical reactions.

The aim of this compilation has been to provide a comprehensive, non critical source of information concerning organometallic compounds. The scope is limi ed to the compounds containing at least one carbon-metal bond. The information includes methods of preparation, properties, chemical reactions, and applications. The First Edition comprised the literature from 1937 to 1958. The Second Edition is completely revised and extended through 1964. The literature prior to 1937 was thoroughly covered by E. Krause and A. von Grosse in ''Die Chemie der metall-organischen Verbindungen," Verlag von Gebrueder Borntraeger, Berlin, 1937. Our work consists of three volumes. Volume I contains derivatives of the transition metals of Groups III through VIII of the Periodic Table. Volume II contains derivatives of germanium, tin, and lead. Volume III contains derivatives of arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. The compilation is based on searches through Chemical Abstracts. The collection of references for 1964 was completed before the Subject Indexes to Volumes 60 and 61 of the Abstracts were available; thus some omissions in the coverage of that year are possible. We have attempted to make the .. coverage of the literature complete in order that the compilation may have best i1ity to the chemist, chemical engineer, patent attorney, and editor. In the interest of brevity, certain numerical data are omitted, but references to the original literature are given. Yield data are rounded to two significant figures. Wherever possible, tables have been used. The entries in the Bibliography section include references to Chemical Abstracts."

It is said that behind every successful man there stands a devoted and capable woman. The three famous chemists Perkin, Kipping and their collaborator Lapworth married three sisters: Mina, Lily, and Kathleen Holland. The three Holland sisters kept their husbands in close and very productive collaboration throughout their lives, thereby greatly increasing their scientific output. They functioned as a productive scientific family. However, the life and work of the men is thoroughly documented, but little is known about their wives. Professor Eugene G. Rochow, a world-renowned scientist, wrote this biographical historical novel with the help of a grandson, Dr. Brian Kipping. Professor Rochow did not intend to write a bare-bones biography. He took care to make the book factually accurate. Wherever there are no facts, he has not hesitated to flesh out the account with imagination and actual experience of others in order to make the text more readable.

This volume is a description of the current knowledge on the different metal-oxo and metal-peroxo species involved in catalytic oxidations. The series contains critical reviews of the present position and future trends, and short and concise reports written by the world s renowned experts."