Overview
- Authors:
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Rudolf Zahradník
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J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech
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Rudolf Polák
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J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech
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Table of contents (17 chapters)
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 9-10
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 11-12
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 13-46
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 47-79
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 80-102
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 103-149
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 150-160
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 161-169
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 170-189
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 190-262
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 263-294
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 295-311
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 312-376
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 377-382
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 383-390
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 391-437
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- Rudolf Zahradník, Rudolf Polák
Pages 438-449
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Back Matter
Pages 451-462
About this book
The post-war generation of chemists learned to handle a blow pipe at the university as thoroughly as modern chemistry students learn to write computer programmes. Even after World War II the rule of three was considered to be sufficient mathematical knowledge for chemists and the short course of "higher mathematics" at technical universities was the test most feared by chemistry students. However, even then some en visaged the theoretical derivation of information on the properties of molecules from knowledge of the bonding of the component atoms. During the last quarter of this century, amazing changes have occurred in chemistry, some of them almost incredible. Dirac's famous clairvoyant statement* has been partially realized. Incorporation of quantum mechanics into chemistry encountered numerous difficulties. After all, the reserve of experimental chemists is not surprising. For decades the hydrogen and helium atoms and the hydrogen molecule belonged among the systems most frequently investigated by theoreti cians. Later these systems were supplemented by ethylene and benzene. The authors of this book can therefore recall with understanding the words of the late Professor Lukes: "Well, when they succeed in computing a molecule of some alkaloid by those methods of yours ... ". Unfortunately, the calculations on calycanin were not completed before his death. Now there is no need to convince even the members of the older generation of the usefulness of quantum chemistry for chemists. Even the most conservative were convinced after the introduction of the W ood ward-Hoffmann rules.
