Throughout chemistry, computational techniques are becoming increasingly important. Problem solving and modelling is quickly achievable but as the power of computers increases so does the complexity of the tasks and the speed at which they are solved. A basic understanding of the theory and concepts underpinning computational chemistry is therefore essential to all chemical science students, and Essentials of Computational Chemistry: Theory and Models delivers a thorough insight in a readable and approachable manner. * Accessible as a text to advanced undergraduate students as well as graduate students * Emphasises the basic concepts and applications rather than theory and mathematics * Firmly places the subject in context, including many examples and applications * Includes coverage and examples from inorganic, organic and biological chemistry and covers quantum mechanical and classical mechanical models * Includes case histories that serve as an ideal basis for classroom discussion * Delivers information in a readable and approachable manner

Over the past several decades there have been major advances in our ability to computationally evaluate the electronic structure of inorganic molecules, particularly transition metal systems. This advancement is due to the Moore’s Law increase in computing power as well as the impact of density functional theory (DFT) and its implementation in commercial and freeware programs for quantum chemical calculations. Improved pure and hybrid density functionals are allowing DFT calculations with accuracy comparable to high-level Hartree-Fock treatments, and the results of these calculations can now be evaluated by experiment. When calculations are correlated to, and supported by, experimental data they can provide fundamental insight into electronic structure and its contributions to physical properties and chemical reactivity. This interplay continues to expand and contributes to both improved value of experimental results and improved accuracy of computational predictions. The purpose of this EIC Book is to provide state-of-the-art presentations of quantum mechanical and related methods and their applications, written by many of the leaders in the field. Part 1 of this volume focuses on methods, their background and implementation, and their use in describing bonding properties, energies, transition states and spectroscopic features. Part 2 focuses on applications in bioinorganic chemistry and Part 3 discusses inorganic chemistry, where electronic structure calculations have already had a major impact. This addition to the EIC Book series is of significant value to both experimentalists and theoreticians, and we anticipate that it will stimulate both further development of the methodology and its applications in the many interdisciplinary fields that comprise modern inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. This volume is also available as part of Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry, 5 Volume Set. This set combines all volumes published as EIC Books from 2007 to 2010, representing areas of key developments in the field of inorganic chemistry published in the Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry. Find out more.

This textbook does away with the classic, unimaginative approach and comes straight to the point with a bare minimum of mathematics -- emphasizing the understanding of concepts rather than presenting endless strings of formulae. It nonetheless covers all important aspects of computational chemistry, such as - vector space theory - quantum mechanics - approximation methods - theoretical models - and computational methods. Throughout the chapters, mathematics are differentiated by necessity for understanding - fundamental formulae, and all the others. All formulae are explained step by step without omission, but the non-vital ones are marked and can be skipped by those who do not relish complex mathematics. The reader will find the text a lucid and innovative introduction to theoretical and computational chemistry, with food for thought given at the end of each chapter in the shape of several questions that help develop understanding of the concepts. What the reader will not find in this book are condescending sentences such as, 'From (formula A) and (formula M) it is obvious that (formula Z).'

As a result of the advancements in algorithms and the huge increase in speed of computers over the past decade, electronic structure calculations have evolved into a valuable tool for characterizing surface species and for elucidating the pathways for their formation and reactivity. It is also now possible to calculate, including electric field effects, STM images for surface structures. To date the calculation of such images has been dominated by density functional methods, primarily because the computational cost of - curate wave-function based calculations using either realistic cluster or slab models would be prohibitive. DFT calculations have proven especially valuable for elucidating chemical processes on silicon and other semiconductor surfaces. However, it is also clear that some of the systems to which DFT methods have been applied have large non-dynamical correlation effects, which may not be properly handled by the current generation of Kohn-Sham-based density functionals. For example, our CASSCF calculations on the Si(001)/acetylene system reveal that at some geometries there is extensive 86 configuration mixing. This, in turn, could signal problems for DFT cal- lations on these systems. Some of these problem systems can be addressed using ONIOM or other “layering” methods, treating the primary region of interest with a CASMP2 or other multireference-based method, and treating the secondary region by a lower level of electronic structure theory or by use of a molecular mechanics method. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank H. Jónsson, C. Sosa, D. Sorescu, P. Nachtigall, and T. -C.

Computational Chemistry, Volume 73, the latest release in the Advances in Inorganic Chemistry series, presents timely and informative summaries on current progress in a variety of subject areas. This acclaimed serial features reviews written by experts in the field, serving as an indispensable reference to advanced researchers that empowers readers to pursue new developments in each field. Users will find this to be a comprehensive overview of recent findings and trends from the last decade that covers various kinds of inorganic topics, from theoretical oriented supramolecular chemistry, to the quest for accurate calculations of spin states in transition metals. Features comprehensive reviews on the latest developments in computational studies in inorganic chemistry Includes contributions from leading experts in the field of inorganic reaction mechanisms Serves as an indispensable reference to advanced researchers in many related fields

The Advances in Inorganic Chemistry series present timely and informative summaries of the current progress in a variety of subject areas within inorganic chemistry, ranging from bio-inorganic to solid state studies. This acclaimed serial features reviews written by experts in the field and serves as an indispensable reference to advanced researchers. Each volume contains an index, and each chapter is fully referenced. Features comprehensive reviews on the latest developments Includes contributions from leading experts in the field Serves as an indispensable reference to advanced researchers

Determining the structure of molecules is a fundamental skill that all chemists must learn. Structural Methods in Molecular Inorganic Chemistry is designed to help readers interpret experimental data, understand the material published in modern journals of inorganic chemistry, and make decisions about what techniques will be the most useful in solving particular structural problems. Following a general introduction to the tools and concepts in structural chemistry, the following topics are covered in detail: • computational chemistry • nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy • electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy • Mössbauer spectroscopy • rotational spectra and rotational structure • vibrational spectroscopy • electronic characterization techniques • diffraction methods • mass spectrometry The final chapter presents a series of case histories, illustrating how chemists have applied a broad range of structural techniques to interpret and understand chemical systems. Throughout the textbook a strong connection is made between theoretical topics and the real world of practicing chemists. Each chapter concludes with problems and discussion questions, and a supporting website contains additional advanced material. Structural Methods in Molecular Inorganic Chemistry is an extensive update and sequel to the successful textbook Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry by Ebsworth, Rankin and Cradock. It is essential reading for all advanced students of chemistry, and a handy reference source for the professional chemist.