Chapter 1 - Introduction—Molecular Structure and Reactivity

Abstract

To understand the way atoms bond to one another and then transform into new structures it is important to have a common set of rules and definitions. Herein, we describe key aspects of bonding, equilibrium, and driving forces that influence the structure and allow us to model and predict what are otherwise very complicated events. Many of the concepts presented in this chapter are a review for the student who has already taken the basic Organic series and the General Chemistry sequence, with a few new concepts and further explanations on some specific topics. This chapter helps create a common language and concepts that will be encountered in the book.