Group theory is an important part of the M Sc chemistry curriculum of almost all universities. A proper understanding of chemical bonding and molecular spectroscopy remains incomplete without at least a preliminary knowledge of molecular symmetry aspects. This is obtained from the representation theory of groups which is explained in this text. Students with a basic knowledge of elementary quantum chemistry and mathematics will be able to benefit immensely from the book.

Salient Features:

• All discussions begin with familiar examples and then proceed to explain the abstract concepts of group theory.
• The authors' approach removes the fear of abstract concepts while explaining the necessary mathematical statements and proofs.
• Gives the student sufficient working knowledge for applying group theory to any structural /spectroscopic problem.
• Students can construct simple cardboard models of the Platonic solids to help them to understand the intricate symmetry operations which are essential for exposition of molecular structure and chemical bonding.
• Drawing stereographic projections of the point groups and construction of symmetry multiplication tables of large groups and character tables of direct product groups have been explained in detail.
• The minimum required key concepts of Linear Algebra (such as vector spaces and matrices) are developed in a logical and understandable manner in a separate chapter.
• Each chapter contains review questions, short questions, MCQs and practice problems.

For additional material, please visit http://www.universitiespress.com/akm_bcg/gtc

Dr Asok K Mukherjee has 40 years of teaching experience at the UG and PG levels. He retired as Professor of Chemistry from The University of Burdwan. He has published about 150 papers in international journals in the fields of theoretical chemistry, fullerene structure, spectra of CT and host–guest complexes, and photophysical sensors. He has supervised several research candidates and is presently interested in the applications of DFT.

Dr Bankim Chandra Ghosh is Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Durgapur Government College where he is teaching at both the UG and PG levels. His present area of research involves the study of photophysical properties of molecules with potential applications. He has published research papers in reputed international journals such as J. Phys. Chem. (A and B), Chem. Phys. Lett., J. Photochem. Photobiol. and J. Ind. Chem. Soc..

Preface
Chapter 1: Elements of symmetry, symmetry operations and point groups 
Chapter 2: Symmetry of the Platonic solids
Chapter 3: Vector space and matrices
Chapter 4: Representation of symmetry operators and point groups by matrices
Chapter 5: The great orthogonality theorem and its consequences
Chapter 6: Direct product groups and enumeration of crystallographic point groups
Chapter 7: Link between group theory and quantum mechanics
Chapter 8: Chemical bonding I: molecular orbital theory
Chapter 9: Chemical bonding II: localised molecular orbitals
Chapter 10: Chemical bonding III: Hückel method of p-mo calculation
Chapter 11: Molecular vibrations: infrared and Raman spectroscopy
Chapter 12: Spin–orbit coupling: term symbols
Chapter 13: Crystal field theory and bonding in metal complexes
Chapter 14: Orbital symmetry in pericyclic reactions
Appendix 1 Proof of the great orthogonality theorem
Appendix 2 Regular representation of point groups and the celebrated theorem
Appendix 3 Character tables of some important point groups
Appendix 4 Correlation tables for Oh and Td  groups
Index