The book discusses a range of issues related to the history, emergence, development of the theory of chemical structure and its extension to various classes of organic and inorganic compounds. Much attention is paid to establishing the dependence of the chemical and physical properties of organic substances on their chemical structure. Numerous data are given that speak of the outstanding role of Russian scientists in the creation and development of the theory of chemical structure, and its historiography is critically considered. The book was written as a result of studying a large number of primary sources and archival documents.