Physical organic chemistry is a relatively modern field with deep roots
in chemistry. The subject is concerned with investigations of organic
chemistry by quantitative and mathematical methods. The wedding of
physical and organic chemistry has provided a remarkable source of inspira￾tion for both of these classical areas of chemical endeavor. Further, the
potential for new developments resulting from this union appears to be still
greater. A closening of ties with all aspects of molecular structure and spectros￾copy is clearly anticipated. The field provides the proving ground for the
development of basic tools for investigations in the areas of molecular
biology and biophysics. The subject has an inherent association with phe￾nomena in the condensed phase and thereby with the theories of this state
of matter.