Linus Pauling (1901-1994). "The Nature of the Chemical Bond. Application of Results Obtained from the Quantum Mechanics and from a Theory of Paramagnetic Susceptibility to the Structure of Molecules". Offprint from: Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 53; pp. 1367-1400. April 1931.

First edition, the very rare offprint issue, of a landmark paper in 20th-century chemistry; signed by Pauling. This work represents the birth of the valence bond theory of molecular structure and the beginning of the application of quantum mechanics to chemistry. It is ‘arguably Pauling’s most important contribution to science [and] it was the contribution of which Pauling himself was most proud' (Goertzel & Goertzel, Linus Pauling (1995), pp. 70-71). Pauling won the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances. ABPC/RBH record just one other copy, also inscribed.

Octavo (218 x 140mm). Stapled as issued in self-wrappers. Custom portfolio.