Structural Chemistry


for undergraduate students of CCCE.



A. Introduction

Structural Chemistry is a subject to study the microscopic structures of matters at the atomic/molecular level using Chemical Bond Theory.



B. Objective of Structural Chemistry

  1. Determining the structure of a known substance
  2. Understanding the structure-property relationship
  3. Predicting a substance with specific structure and property


C. Text Book, Reference Books and Online Sources

  1. 结构化学(第二版)厦门大学化学系物构组编,林梦海、谢兆雄执笔 (附书中各章节习题汇总习题选答汇总)
  2. 结构化学精品课程在线教程及部分习题解答 (厦门大学化学系物构组编)
  3. Physical Chemistry, edited by P.W. Atkins
  4. 结构化学基础, 周公度编著, 北京大学出版社
  5. 结构化学基础习题解析周公度、段连运著
  6. 化学键的本质, 鲍林著
  7. Chemical Applications of Group Theory, Cotton.


D. Chapters & PPTs

Note: a) CTU = Class-Time Unit); b) PPTs are updated timely.
  1. Chapter 1: Basics of Quantum Mechanics. (4 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

    ( Selected problems of this chapter).

  2. Chapter 2: Atomic Structure(4 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

    ( Selected problems of this chapter).

  3. Chapter 3: Molecular Symmetry and Point Group (4-5 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

    Chapter 3B: Representation of Point Group and Applications Download BW version

    (A summary of the key and confusing concepts of this chapter).

  4. Chapter 4: Structures of Diatomic Molecules (3 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

  5. Chapter 5: Structures of Polyatomic Molecules (Part I) (3 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

    (An article by J.K. Feng regarding the different physical meaning of CMO and LMO)

  6. Chapter 6: Structures of Polyatomic Molecules (Part II) (2-3 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version).

    (An article by R.B. King regarding coordination and hybridization)

    (An feature article by M.L.H. Green et al. entitled "The occurrence and representation of three-centre two-electron bonds in covalent inorganic compounds" )

  7. Chapter 7: Introduction to Crystallography (4 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

  8. Chapter 8: Strcutures and Properties of Metals and Alloys (1 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

  9. Chapter 9: Structures and Properties of Ionic Compounds (2 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

  10. Special Talk: Applications of Group Theory in Chemistry (2 CTUs)

    (click to download black-white version)

  11. Selected Problems and Solutions for Chapters 5-9

    (click to download black-white version)




E. List of Assignments (林梦海等编著《结构化学》第二版 - TBV2 // 《结构化学》第三版-TBV3)


  1. Sept. 16, TBV3, p.20, questions 1.4, 1.5.

  2. Sept. 18, TBV2, p. 24, questions 1.8, 1.9, 1.11 and 1.13 // TBV3, pp.20-21, questions 1.8,1.9,1.11,1.13.

  3. Sept.23, TBV2, pp. 24-25, questions 1.19, 1.20, 1.23 and 1.24 // TBV3, p.21, questions 1.19, 1.20, 1.23 and 1.24

  4. Sept.25, TBV2, pp. 25-26, questions 1.25, 1.27, 1.31 and 1.32 // TBV3, p.21-22, questions 1.25, 1.27, 1.31 and 1.32

  5. Sept. 30, TBV2, pp. 55-56, questions 2.1-2.4.// TBV3, p. 47, questions 2.1-2.4.

  6. Oct. 9, TBV2, p. 56, questions 2.7, 2.12 and 2.13. // TBV3, pp. 47-48, questions 2.7, 2.12 and 2.13.

  7. Oct. 12 ( for the lessons on Oct. 7), TBV2, pp. 56-57, questions 2.18, 2.21, 2.22. // TBV3, p.48, questions 2.18, 2.21, 2.22.

  8. Oct. 14, TBV2, pp. 56-57, questions 2.25,2.29 and 2.31. // TBV3, p.48, questions 2.25, 2.29 and 2.31.

  9. Oct. 16, TBV2, pp. 111-112, questions 4.2, and 4.12. //TBV3, pp.94-95, 4.1, and 4.2.

  10. Oct. 21, TBV2, pp. 111-112, questions 4.3, 4.4, 4.13, and 4.20. //TBV3, pp.94-95, 4.3-4.6.

  11. Oct.23, TBV2, pp. 111-112, questions 4.8, 4.11, 4.19, and 4.21. //TBV3, pp.94-97, 4.12,4.15,4.19,4.21.

  12. Oct. 28, TBV2//TBV3, questions 3.1,3.2, 3.3 and 3.14.

  13. Oct. 30, TBV2//TBV3, questions 3.7, 3.9,3.12 and 3.13.

  14. Nov. 4, TBV2//TBV3, questions 3.16, 3.19, 3.24,and 3.26.

  15. Nov. 6, 1) TBV2//TBV3, questions 3.29,3.30 and 3.32;

    2) Please figure out the symmetry species for the valence AOs (3d,4s, 4p) of a Fe(3+) cation, when it is located in a) an octahedral field, or b) a tetrahedral field constructed by negative piont charges.

    3) Please figure out all the normal vibrations of NH3 and discern whether they are IR- or Raman-active!

  16. Nov. 11, 1) TBV2//TBV3, questions 5.2, 5.3, 5.6 and 5.12.

    2)CH4 has four equivalent C-H bonds. plz use the four C-H bond lengths as bases to contruct the normal modes of C-H bond stretching (projection operator can be used!) and determine their symmetry.

  17. Nov. 13, TBV2//TBV3, questions 5.14, 5.16, 5.21 and 5.23.

  18. Nov.18, TBV2//TBV3, questions 5.24, and 5.27. & questions 5.29, 5.30, 5.32.

  19. Nov. 20, Midterm Exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Nov. 25, TBV2//TBV3, questions 6.9, 6.11, 6.14, 6.15, 6.17.

  21. Nov. 27, no assignments!

  22. Dec. 2, TBV2//TBV3, questions 6.21, 6.25, 6.26, 6.31.

  23. Dec. 4, TBV2//TBV3, questions 7.1, 7.2.

  24. Dec. 9, TBV2//TBV3, questions 7.4, 7.6, 7.9,7.13.

  25. Dec. 11, TBV2//TBV3, questions 7.14, 7.16, 7.17, 7.26.

  26. Dec. 16, TBV2//TBV3, questions 7.18, 7.19, 7.24, 7.27

  27. Dec. 18, TBV2//TBV3, questions 8.3, 8.8, 8.14, 8.20, 8.21.

  28. Dec. 23, TBV2//TBV3, questions 9.6, 9.7, 9.10, 9.11, 9.13.

  29. Dec. 25, TBV2//TBV3, questions 9.14, 9.17,9.28, 9.30,9.32.


F. In-class Quizzes, Midterm and Final Exams

We shall have several in-class quizzes (10-15 minutes, mostly on Thursday morning), a midterm exam and a final exam.

Midterm exam: Nov.20, 2019. Final exam: Jan.x, 2020.



H. QQ discussion group number: 8675318

Please specify your XMU ID number to join the discussion group!



Contact Dr. Xin Lu:
E-mail: xinlu@xmu.edu.cn
Phone: (0592)-2181600
Office: R236, Chemistry Building.