A revised and updated English edition of a textbook based on teaching at the final year undergraduate and graduate level. It presents structure and bonding, generalizations of structural trends, crystallographic data, as well as highlights from the recent literature.

PART I ; Fundamentals of Bonding Theory ; 1. Introduction to Quantum Theory ; 2. The Electronic Structure of Atoms ; 3. Covalent Bonding in Molecules ; 4. Chemical Bonding in Condensed Phases ; 5. Computational Chemistry ; PART II ; Symmetry in Chemistry ; 6. Symmetry and Elements of Group Theory ; 7. Application of Group Theory to Molecular Systems ; 8. Bonding in Coordination Compounds ; 9. Symmetry in Crystals ; 10. Basic Inorganic Crystal Structures and Materials ; PART III ; Structural Chemistry of Selected Elements ; 11. Structural Chemistry of Hydrogen ; 12. Structural Chemistry of Alkali and Alkali-Earth Metals ; 13. Structural Chemistry of Group 13 Elements ; 14. Structural Chemistry of Group 14 Elements ; 15. Structural Chemistry of Group 15 Elements ; 16. Structural Chemistry of Group 16 Elements ; 17. Structural Chemistry of Group 17 and Group 18 Elements ; 18. Structural Chemistry of Rare-Earth Elements ; 19. Metal-Metal Bonds and Transition-Metal Clusters ; 20. Supramolecular Structural Chemistry

`This book will go a long way in improving the understanding of modern chemical crystallography among the general chemistry community.' Gautam R. Desiraju, University of Hyderabad `The book has quite a nice focus bringing together both theoretical and practical aspects of bonding and structure and blending these with crystal data. It is very well written, in an interesting way, and strikes a nice level - deliberately not going too deep, but putting various approaches in context. ' Ted Baker, University of Auckland `The writing is good and clear. The book should have a considerable market. There is a need for an advanced treatment such as this. ' Mike Glazer, University of Oxford

Provide students with the background knowledge to comprehend the exciting advances in modern inorganic chemical research. Covers many topics that are not usually treated in textbooks. Point groups and space groups are introduced, and symmetry concepts are utilized in the discussion of molecular systems and crystal structures. "Computational Chemistry" and "Supramolecular Structural Chemistry" are included to reflect their increasing importance in contemporary research. Promotes an understanding of modern chemical crystallography among the scientific community.

Professor Wai-Kee Li, Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Wai-Kee Li obtained his B.S. degree from University of Illinois in 1964 and his Ph.D. degree from University of Michigan in 1968. He joined The Chinese University of Hong Kong in July, 1968 and is now Professor of Chemistry. He has taught a variety of courses in physical and inorganic chemistry and won many teaching awards. His research interests in theoretical and computational chemistry have led to about 180 papers in international journals. Gong-Du Zhou, Professor Emiritus, Department of Chemistry, Peking University Gong-Du Zhou graduated from Xichuan University in 1953 and completed his postgraduate studies at Peking University in 1957. He then joined the Chemistry Department of Peking University and taught "Structural Chemistry" there till his retirement in 1992. His research interests lie in X-ray crystallography and structural chemistry. He has published over 100 research papers, together with over a dozen Chinese chemistry textbooks and reference books. Professor Thomas Chung Wai Mak, Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Thomas C. W. 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 The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he is now Wei Lun Research Professor in the Department of Chemistry. His research interest lies in inorganic synthesis, chemical crystallography, crystal engineering and supramolecular assembly, with over 900 papers in international journals. He was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2001.

Provide students with the background knowledge to comprehend the exciting advances in modern inorganic chemical research. Covers many topics that are not usually treated in textbooks. Point groups and space groups are introduced, and symmetry concepts are utilized in the discussion of molecular systems and crystal structures. "Computational Chemistry" and "Supramolecular Structural Chemistry" are included to reflect their increasing importance in contemporary research. Promotes an understanding of modern chemical crystallography among the scientific community.