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Internet Electronic Journal of Molecular Design - IEJMD, ISSN 1538-6414, CODEN IEJMAT
| ABSTRACT - Internet Electron. J. Mol. Des. January 2012, Volume 11, Number 1, 1-22 |
A Personal View of Chemistry (with Emphasis to Mathematical Chemistry) as Science and Art
Alexandru T. Balaban
Internet Electron. J. Mol. Des. 2012, 11, 1-22
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Abstract:
After recalling that art and science belong to Snow’s 'two cultures', a brief mention is made of
the 'stimulus package' proposed by Vannevar Bush for basic science in USA. Common traits are
shared by artists and scientists, especially when the latter ones also create their objects of
study (invention versus discovery). A few personal contributions to mathematical chemistry are
mentioned, such as encoding structures of cata-fused benzenoids by using dualists, inventing
reaction graphs and several topological indices. Two trivalent cages with girths 10 and 11 have
completed the series of cages up till girth 12. The extraordinary symmetry of cages with girths
between 4 and 8 competes with the symmetry of polytopes; unfortunately, this type of beauty can
be perceived only mentally, not visually.
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