Inorganic Chemistry (3rd Edition) Description:

Inorganic Chemistry (3rd Edition) review:
3 stars (Lukewarm chemistry) - M&T was used for the intro. inorganic chemistry course that I TA'd, and I found that while all off the essential inorganic topics are covered the book focuses primarily on symmetry and molecular orbital theory. Truly, it makes MO theory very accessible (a fine preparation to carrying on with Cotton's Chem. App. of Group Theory). I recommend this textbook for courses and individuals focused on developing these areas, but in terms of physical inorganic chemistry, this book is lacking. There is only one chapter spent on main group chemistry, hardly enough space to mention more than a small spattering of information. The solid state chapter is also disappointingly weak. However, in terms of illustrations and ease of readablity, this book succeeds. Overall, while the book does not miss any "essentials," it does little more than skim a large section of inorganic chemistry.
4 stars (1st year inorganic chemistry text) - This was the book used for 5.03 (Inorganic Chemistry I) at MIT for Spring 2007. I thought it was a great book in terms of examples and explanations of point groups & molecular orbital diagrams. A lot of the chapters seemed to be organized such that the essential information was presented first, followed by applications and interesting side notes for each of the topics. This was very helpful when skimming before the final! I also recommend the solution manual!!
4 stars (A good one semester advanced inorganic chemistry text) - It's hard to write an inorganic textbook that will please everybody. In general, there are three different types of undergraduate inorganic chemistry courses offered:1) One semester Descriptive Inorganic (pre P. chem)2) One semester Advanced Inorganic (post P. chem)3) Two semester sequence (post P. chem)Missler and Tarr's text is written for the second audience. If you are interested in a book that (i) is written at the jr/sr level; (ii) emphasizes group theory, molecular orbital theory, coordination chemistry, spectroscopy, reaction mechanisms and organometallic chemistry; and (iii) can be covered in one semester without killing the average undergraduate, then this is going to be a good text for you. If you are interested in descriptive chemistry or want a complete overview of inorganic chemistry, then you aren't going to be happy with M&T.In my opinion, this is the best textbook on the market for a one-semester advanced inorganic course. My student's opinions of M&T were somewhat lukewarm, but at least it didn't inspire the scathing criticism that two other texts received in previous years. It's not a perfect book, but it is concise and well written for the audience it is intended to serve.