Although there are numerous excellent accounts of X-ray crystallography, I have
always had difficulty in recommending one for undergraduate chemistry students,
for most of whom the subject is treated in a short course of lectures, perhaps with
an associated calculation class or practical experiment.  The available texts are
simply too long and detailed.  The Oxford Chemistry Primer format and size are
ideal for this purpose.  This book and my own second-year course in Newcastle
have evolved together over the last couple of years, and I hope it will provide
valuable support material for such courses elsewhere.

    The Primer length restriction is also a tremendous challenge.  I have tried to
concentrate on the significance and importance of crystal structure determination
in the context of modern chemistry, and use illustrations and examples in
preference to rigorous mathematical treatment; some purists will not approve!
Many details have had to be left out, and the book is certainly not a complete
practical manual.

    I am very grateful to John Evans for his patience in the long period since this
Primer was first suggested, and for his helpful suggestions for improvements to the
first draft.  I would also like to thank Marjorie Harding, Paul Raithby, Mark
Elsegood and Andy Edwards for their comments and corrections.  The
responsibility for any remaining errors and shortcomings is, of course, entirely
my own.

Newcastle upon Tyne                                                                    Bill Clegg
December 1997