The problem of molecules interacting with metal surfaces has for a very
long time been recognized to be of considerable technological as well as
fundamental importance. Thus in the former category, a substantial
number of important synthetic reactions for industrial purposes make use
of metal surfaces as catalysts. Or again, problems of corrosion of
metals are of great practical importance, such as in nuclear-reactor
technology [see, for instance, my earlier articles, in: Physics
Bulletin, Volume 25, p. 582, Institute of Physics, UK (1974); and in:
Physics and Contemporqry Needs (Riazuddin, ed. ), Vol. 1, p. 53, Plenum
Press, New York (1977)]. It is therefore of significance to strive to
gain a more fundamental understand- ing of the atomic, and ultimately
the electronic, processes that occur when a molecule is brought into the
proximity of a metal surface. The present volume focuses mainly on the
theory and concepts involved; however, it is intended for readers in
chemistry, physics, and materials science who are not specialists in
theory but nevertheless wish to learn more about this truly
interdisciplinary area of theoretical science. The aim of the book is to
present the way in which valence theory can be synthesized with the
understanding of metals that has been gained over the last half century
or so. While advanced theory has at times been necessary, is largely
presented in an extensive set of Appendixes.