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 inspiration 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
closing of ties with all aspects of molecular structure and spectroscopy 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 phenomena in the
condensed phase and thereby with the theories of this state of matter.