 ademic Press

 1st edition: 1970

Description: This book summarizes a series of publications (the first in 1965) by
the Nobel Prize winning authors where they describe the mechanism of a series
of pericyclic reactions based upon the conservation of orbital symmetry leading to what
are now called the Woodward–Hoffmann rules.
Importance: the concepts outlined in this text changed the field of organic chemistry and
ushered in the frontier molecular orbital theory approach toward understanding reactions.
Classics in Total Synthesis[edit]
 K.C. Nicolaou and E.J. Sorensen
 Current edition: 1996
Description. The synthesis of famous molecules done by the masters of organic
chemistry
Importance. A standard postgraduate text book for the study of total synthesis and a
valuable reference work for experts. "..destined to become a classic itself".[15]

Inorganic chemistry[edit]
Chemical Applications of Group Theory[edit]
 F. Albert Cotton
 Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, 1st Ed. 1963, 3rd Ed. 1990.
Description: Explains the use of symmetry groups in describing molecular
symmetry and its role in determining molecular properties.
Importance: Significant influence by introducing group theory to a much wider group of
chemists.
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry[edit]
 F. Albert Cotton and Geoffrey Wilkinson
 Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, 1st Ed. 1962, 6th Ed. 1999
Description: A classic general textbook for an undergraduate course in inorganic
chemistry
Importance: This book is not only a good introduction to the subject, it was very different
from earlier texts and "led to a fundamental shift in the way in which inorganic chemistry
was studied".[16] It seemed to be symbolic of the renaissance in inorganic chemistry
starting in the 1950s. Every new text in inorganic chemistry since this text has had to
respond to it.
Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry[edit]
 F. Sherwood Taylor and H. M. N. H. Irving
 Heinemann, 1st Ed 1931, 10th Ed. 1960
Description: Unique very advanced and comprehensive coverage of every element
known at the time by chapter describing all known compounds yet discovered or
synthesised. Approaches chemistry as the study of elements and compounds without the
later emphasis on bond theory and analysis.
Importance: Inspired and instructed generations of English speaking scientists and
students.
Chemistry of the Elements[edit]
 N. N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw
 Heinemann (later Elsevier), 1st Ed 1984, 2nd Ed 1997
Description: Unique comprehensive