Density functional theory numerical illustration

Chapter 1 of Volume 15 deals with density functional theory (DFT). As with many quantum mechanical calculations, it is easy to become wrapped up in the theory and lose sight of the chemical phenomena we are trying to explain with the calculations. Equally important to how the numerical calculations are done is how the results can be interpreted to gain chemical insight. Dr. F. Matthias Bickelhaupt and Professor Evert Jan Baerends show how the results of DFT calculations can be analyzed to open up chemical understanding. This chapter illustrates that the plain numbers from a quantum mechanical calculation can be interpreted to be conceptually useful to chemists. In many ways, this chapter evokes memories of the famous way Professor Roald Hoffmann has extracted information from extended Hiickel molecular orbital calculations. 

Cortright and Dumesic present an update of progress in reaction kinetics, showing how it is providing a broader and sturdier foundation for heterogeneous catalysis. The chapter illustrates how the power of computers and modern theoretical methods, exemplified by density functional theory, allow the incorporation of numerous elementary steps and realistic models of... 

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