Customer Reviews

Chemical Applications of Group Theory, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

So if you are a mathematician or a physicist, don't whine if this book isn't for you. It's for chemists, specifically inorganic ones, who use group theory to analyze ligand chemistry and spectroscopic measurements. It is also useful for those who utilize computational chemistry programs like Gaussian and need to know the basics of orbital and molecular symmetry.

This book contains only point group symmetry and none of the SO, SU, U, etc. groups used in physics. There is also no coverage of Lie algebras.

I read this book in 1965 as a freshman in Chemistry
at UCLA. I had no background in group theory or representation
of groups by characters. It started me on a life long study of groups,
but the wrong way. For someone without the necessary mathematics background
this book is actually harmful.
I think a course in modern algebra should be necessary
to reading this book. In 1965 an understanding of Calculus
wasn't enough even with a little Boolean algebra mixed in.
It came down to us using the book like a recipe book
for the mathematics, following many of the operating blindly.
But I have to say that over the years I have learned more about groups
and that the approach here has grown in my respect with that study.
So I have to say it is an excellent book
for those prepared
and a very poor book for those who aren't.

Professor Cotton's book is a well written introduction to the theory of group representations for chemists. It is appropriate for chemical experimentalists and beginners with a more thoeretical bent. It was NOT INTENDED to be a book of algebra for mathematicians or physicists interested in Lie groups. The pure rotation group is not covered, representations of space groups are not mentioned, ray representations are not used, etc. Many of the reviewers below seem to think they will need one and only one book that deals with applications of group theory - not likely! For a beginner with a background typical of a 1st year grad student in physical or inorganic chemistry at an American university, the book is good. If the complainers below ever tried to teach a course to such students using the more rigorous books they are clamoring for, they would be hung in effigy (if they were lucky).
However, even for the intended audience, there are things that could be improved. Most glaring in my opinion is the treatment of electronic states, as opposed to orbitals. Even "mathematically-challenged chemists" have to face up to Slater determinants as basis functions for multi-electron wavefunctions. The spectroscopy and ligand-field theory topics are obscure if you don't introduce this concept. Symmetry with respect to interchange of particle labels is not that difficult to teach, and is essential for understanding the symmetry requirements that must be placed on electronic and vibrational wave functions.

This book is a double edged sword. As a reference textbook for a person who has already had a significant introduction to group theory and chemical applications of it, this book can't be beat. It provides some very detailed mathematical derivations of the theoretical formulas used within group theory which one may not find in an elementary inorganic text which skims over group theory. Additionally, Cotton covers organic, organometallic and inorganic examples which allows the reader to have a broad spectrum of systems to learn from. The blurbs about molecular vibrations and crystallography were nice too. Finally, Cotton does not lack in providing journal references to the original research that he covers in the text.

In lieu of all that, this book is a bain to use in order to learn the principles of group theory. Cotton, in his typical fashion, assumes that the reader is well-versed in linear/matrix algebra (and has a very condescending comment for anyone who MIGHT have to read the matrix algebra appendix he has in the back of the text) and that the reader can visualize symmetry operations readily in their head. There are places in the text where he should go into more detail and provide further examples, but he does not. Lastly, anyone who knows anything about group theory knows that it is a pretty dry subject matter. Cotton doesn't enhance the excitement of learning group theory with his dry, humor-less approach to writing the text (not to mention that this 3rd edition is already overdue for another overhauling being over a decade old!). In case you have insomnia while taking your group theory course, attempt to read a full chapter in one sitting, you'll be out cold by the second paragraph!

My final verdict, if you are a graduate student in chemistry who already knows something about group theory and its application, but needs a text to jog your memory now and again, this book is worth your money, but if you have to learn the basics of group theory from this book, RUN! Run as fast as you can! Or if you can't do that, buy this book, but buy another book and learn from that one rather than this one.

Cotton's text is infamous for its ease of use and many practical examples. It is ideal for the undergraduate or the chemist who needs only a cursory understanding of group theory. It will get one through the basics, but for serious students, the references contained therein are invaluable.

This book provides a clear and direct link between "group theory" as a mathematic topic and "spectroscopy" as a physical chemical topic. It provides advanced methods for determining the symmetry of molecules, and how to predict the physical observable effect of the molecular symmetry, such as Raman or normal vibrational spectroscopy. Useful background for chemists who will use vibrational spectroscopic techniques in structural determinations.

As a chemist one of my favorite subjects is "Group Theory". I bought this book to refresh my knowledge and to get deeper into this field! For people without previews knowledge of group theory I recommend to read this book first: "Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory" from Alan Vincent.

I used this text as a reference for a grad course in inorganic structure and reactivity. I found it most useful. The explanations were clear, yet not wordy. The exercises at the end of each chapter adequately cover the material. And the character table appendix is invaluable. With appropriate guidance, any student will master the subject.

Professor Cotton's expertise in this field of study is well known. The texts he has authored along with the late Prof. Wilkinson have instructed a whole generation of chemists. This text continues that tradition. Any scientist will found this text useful.

I used an earlier edition of this book for symmetry/group theory and couldn't figure out what the heck was going on! Fortunately, there are lots of good alternatives:

1. "Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory: A Programmed Introduction to Chemical Applications" by Alan Vincent. This one is Excellent. It takes you by the hand and gives you a tutorial!

2. "Group Theory for Chemists" by George Davidson. Out-of-print now but look for it used.

3. "Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory" by Robert L. Carter, ISBN 0471149551

4. "Group Theory and Chemistry" by David M. Bishop. inexpensive.

5. "Introduction to Molecular Symmetry" (Oxford Chemistry Primers) by J. S. Ogden. inexpensive

Also look at chapter 1 of "Symmetry and Spectroscopy: An Introduction to Vibrational and Electronic Spectroscopy" by Daniel C. Harris & Michael D. Bertolucci

For a very nice overview try "Symmetry through the Eyes of a Chemist" by István Hargittai & Magdolna Hargittai

P.S. For a similar book to Vincent's try "Beginning Group Theory for Chemistry" by Paul H. Walton. It's meant to be written in (pencil!).

Look at my other reviews for other chemistry books.

This book is ok. Not great. The thing I found most lacking in it is exercises and importantly, ANSWERS to exercises. The exercises that the book does contain are overly tedious for the point to be learned. The book shouldn't be used as a stand-alone text for a group-theory class; it lacks detailed development for many important ideas. More concrete examples are needed in the text to illustrate important concepts. Less text and more equations are needed!