The Conservation of Orbital Symmetry Robert Burns Woodward and Roald Hoffmann Verlag Chemie Academic 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 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". Inorganic chemistry Chemical Applications of Group Theory 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 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". 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 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 N. N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw Heinemann (later Elsevier), 1st Ed 1984, 2nd Ed 1997 Description: Unique comprehensive descriptive coverage of all the elements and their compounds, with a strong focus on 'real life' and industrial