Problems in Structural Inorganic Chemistry

This book consists of over 300 problems (and their solutions) in structural inorganic chemistry at the senior undergraduate and beginning graduate level. The topics covered comprise Atomic and Molecular Electronic States, Atomic Orbitals, Hybrid Orbitals, Molecular Symmetry, Molecular Geometry and Bonding, Crystal Field Theory, Molecular Orbital Theory, Vibrational Spectroscopy, and Crystal Structure. The central theme running through these topics is symmetry, molecular or crystalline.

The problems collected in this volume originate in examination papers and take-home assignments that have been part of the teaching of the book's two senior authors' at The Chinese University of Hong Kong over the past four decades. The authors' courses include Chemical Bonding, Elementary Quantum Chemistry, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, X-Ray Crystallography, etc. The problems have been tested by generations of students taking these courses.

Wai-Kee Li obtained his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois in 1964 and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 1968. He joined The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) as a Lecturer in 1968 and retired as Professor of Chemistry in 2006. He now holds the title of Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and has remained moderately active in teaching and research since retirement. Over the years he has taught a variety of courses in physical and inorganic chemistry. His research interests in theoretical and computational chemistry have led to over 190 papers in international journals. Including the present volume, he has also published five books.

Yu-San Cheung obtained his B.Sc. (1992) and M.Phil. (1994) degrees from CUHK, and Ph.D. (1999) from Iowa State University. His research interests in his postgraduate studies included computational chemistry and laser spectroscopy, and he has published about 30 papers in international journals. In July 1999 he joined CUHK as an Instructor in the Department of Chemistry. In this capacity he is in charge of all the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory courses in the Department.

Kendrew Kin Wah Mak obtained his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from CUHK in 1994 and 1998, respectively. He joined his Alma Mater as an Instructor in 1999 and was promoted to Senior Instructor in 2005. He is actively engaged in teaching practical organic chemistry and developing new strategies for promoting science education.

Thomas Chung Wai Mak obtained his B.Sc. (1960) and Ph.D. (1963) degrees from The University of British Columbia. After working as a NASA Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Pittsburgh and an Assistant Professor at the University of Western Ontario, in June 1969 he joined CUHK, where he is now Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Wei Lun Research Professor. His research interest lies in inorganic synthesis, chemical crystallography, supramolecular assembly and crystal engineering. With nearly a thousand publications recorded in webofknowledge.com, his name is listed in HighlyCited.com. He was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2001.