Computational chemistry has become extremely important in the last decade, being widely used in academic and industrial research. Yet there have been few books designed to teach the subject to nonspecialists. Computational Chemistry: Introduction to the Theory and Applications of Molecular and Quantum Mechanics is an invaluable tool for teaching and researchers alike. The book provides an overview of the field, explains the basic underlying theory at a meaningful level that is not beyond beginners, and it gives numerous comparisons of different methods with one another and with experiment. The following concepts are illustrated and their possibilities and limitations are given: - potential energy surfaces; - simple and extended Hückel methods; - ab initio, AM1 and related semiempirical methods; - density functional theory (DFT). Topics are placed in a historical context, adding interest to them and removing much of their apparently arbitrary aspect. The large number of references, to all significant topics mentioned, should make this book useful not only to undergraduates but also to graduate students and academic and industrial researchers.
The second edition of this popular textbook has been revised to improve explanations and to add topics which were not featured in the first edition. It also contains extended, updated examples and references. The questions (the hallmark of a genuine textbook) at the end of each chapter fall into two classes: to test and reinforce the reader’s understanding, and to encourage deeper thought. As in the first edition, all pivotal statements and examples are supported by original literature references, and these have been updated to 2009 and 2010. Many calculations included by the author serve to illustrate and to show the scope of various methods.
The main methodologies, e.g molecular mechanics, ab initio, semiempirical, and density functional theory (DFT), are introduced in a historical context (but without glossing over scientific detail) because the author believes that a scientific text should also be a humane exposition and not a collection of recipes.
This textbook is intended for undergraduate and graduate students working in computational and theoretical chemistry courses and for researchers in universities and industry to whom computational chemistry may be useful. It may be used for self-study or with an instructor.
"Errol Lewars has done it again. The author of "Modeling Marvels: Computational Anticipation of Novel Molecules" has written a new edition of another of his highly interesting and informative books, one that interleaves and interweaves rigorous theory, computational protocol, dare I say "classical chemistry", and biographical snapshots. Both the novice and practitioner will find much to enjoy and be educated by Lewars' decision to include easier questions, harder questions and answers that accompany the text." (Prof. Joel F. Liebman, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, UMBC, USA)
Review of 1st edition: “An Outstanding Academic Title” – Choice Magazine
