Crystallography is an interdisciplinary science covering a wide area, from biology to earth sciences, mathematics and materials science. Its role is growing, owing to the contribution crystallography can offer to the understanding of such diverse fields as biological structures, high-temperature superconductors, mineral properties, and phase transitions. The book describes both the theoretical bases and applications of different areas interacting with crystallography. As with the first and second editions, it is organized as a collection of chapters written by recognized specialists, with all contributions being harmonized into a unified whole. The main text is devoted to the presentation of basics; the appendices deal with specialist aspects. In this third edition topics have been updated so as to document the present state of the art: emphasis is placed upon areas of current research.
To facilitate learning and make teaching more effective, new illustrations have been introduced. As with the second edition, a software package is included via the book's OUP web site: modern graphics will help users to better understand the basics of this science via three-dimensional images, simulation of experiments, and exercises.

Crystallography is an interdisciplinary science covering a wide area, from biology to earth sciences, mathematics and materials science. Its role is growing, owing to the contribution crystallography can offer to the understanding of such diverse fields as biological structures, high-temperature superconductors, mineral properties, and phase transitions. The book describes both the theoretical bases and applications of different areas interacting with crystallography. As with the first and second editions, it is organized as a collection of chapters written by recognized specialists, with all contributions being harmonized into a unified whole. The main text is devoted to the presentation of basics; the appendices deal with specialist aspects. In this third edition topics have been updated so as to document the present state of the art: emphasis is placed upon areas of current research.
To facilitate learning and make teaching more effective, new illustrations have been introduced. As with the second edition, a software package is included via the book's OUP web site: modern graphics will help users to better understand the basics of this science via three-dimensional images, simulation of experiments, and exercises.

Hydrogen bond (H-bond) effects are known: it makes sea water iquid, joins cellulose microfibrils in trees, shapes DNA nto genes and polypeptide chains into wool, hair, muscles or enzymes. Its true nature is less known and we may still wonder why O-H...O bond energies range from less than 1 to more than 30 kcal/mol without apparent reason. This H-bond puzzle is re-examined here from its very beginning and presented as an inclusive compilation of experimental H-bond energies and geometries.
New concepts emerge from this analysis: new classes of systematically strong H-bonds (CAHBs and RAHBs: charge- and resonance-assisted H-bonds); full H-bond classification in six classes (the six chemical leitmotifs); and assessment of the covalent nature of strong H-bonds. This leads to three distinct but inter-consistent models able to rationalize the H-bond and predict its strength, based on classical VB theory, matching of donor-acceptor acid-base parameters (PA or pKa), or shape of the H-bond proton-transfer pathway.
Applications survey a number of systems where strong H-bonds play an important functional role, namely drug-receptor binding, enzymatic catalysis, ion-transport through cell membranes, crystal design and molecular mechanisms of functional materials.