It is now more than 20 years since the book "Radical Ions" edited by Kaiser and Kevan appeared. It contained aspects regarding generation, identification, spin density determination and reactivity of charged molecules with an odd number of electrons. New classes of reactive ion radicals have been detected and characterised since then, most notably cation radicals of saturated organic compounds. Trapping of electrons has been found to occur not only in frozen glasses but also in organic crystals. The structure and reactions of anion radicals of saturated compounds have been clarified during the last 20 years. We have asked leading experts in the field to write separate chapters about cation radicals, anion radicals and trapped electrons as well as more complex systems of biological or technological interest. More attention is paid to recent studies of the ions of saturated compounds than to the older and previously reviewed work on aromatic ions. In the case of trapped electrons full coverage is out of the question, and focus is on recent efforts to characterise the solvation structure in ordered and disordered systems.

Applications of EPR in Radiation Research is a multi-author contributed volume presented in eight themes: I. Elementary radiation processes (in situ and low temperature radiolysis, quantum solids); II: Solid state radiation chemistry (crystalline, amorphous and heterogeneous systems); III: Biochemistry, biophysics and biology applications (radicals in biomaterials, spin trapping, free-radical-induced DNA damage); IV: Materials science (polymeric and electronic materials, materials for treatment of nuclear waste, irradiated food); V: Radiation metrology (EPR-dosimetry, retrospective and medical applications); VI: Geological dating; VII: Advanced techniques (PELDOR, ESE and ENDOR spectroscopy, matrix isolation); VIII: Theoretical tools (density-functional calculations, spectrum simulations).

EPR of Free Radicals in Solids: Trends in Methods and Applications presents methods and applications of modern EPR for the study of free radical processes in solids, which so far are only available in the journal literature. The first part of the book, covering trends in methods, contains experimentally oriented chapters on continuous wave and pulsed EPR techniques and special methods involving muon magnetic resonance and optical detection and theory for dynamic studies. New simulation schemes, including the influence of dynamics, are presented as well as advances in the calculation of hyperfine and electronic g-tensors. The second part of the book presents applications involving studies of radiation and photo-induced inorganic and organic radicals in inert matrices, including novel results of quantum effects in small radicals. High-spin molecules and complexes are also considered as well as radical processes in photosynthesis. Recent advances in EPR dosimetry are summarized.

The free-radical chemistry of DNA had been discussed in some detail in 1987 in my book The Chemical Basis of Radiation Biology. Obviously, the more recent developments and the concomitant higher level of understanding of mechanistic details are missing. Moreover, in the living cell, free-radical DNA damage is not only induced by ionizing radiation, but free-radical-induced DNA damage is a much more general phenomenon. It was, therefore, felt that it is now timely to review our present knowledge of free-radical-induced DNA damage induced by all conceivable free-radical-generating sources. Originally, it had been thought to include also a very important aspect, the repair of DNA damage by the cell’s various repair enzymes. Kevin Prise (Cancer Campaign, Gray Laboratory, L- don) was so kind to agree to write this part. However, an adequate description of this strongly expanding area would have exceeded the allocated space by much, and this section had to be omitted. The directors of the Max-Planck-Institut für Strahlenchemie (now MPI für Bioanorganische Chemie), Karl Wieghardt and Wolfgang Lubitz, kindly allowed me to continue to use its facilities after my retirement in 2001. Notably, our - brarian, Mrs. Jutta Theurich, and her right-hand help, Mrs. Rosemarie Schr- er, were most helpful in getting hold of the literature. I thank them very much. Without their constant help, this would have been very difficult indeed.

During the twentieth century, radiation chemistry emerged as a multi-faceted field encompassing all areas of science. Radiation chemical techniques are becoming increasingly popular and are being routinely used not only by chemists but also by biologists, polymer scientists, etc. "Radiation Chemistry: Present Status and Future Trends" presents an overall view of the different aspects of the subject. The chapters review the current status of the field and present the future opportunities in utilizing radiation chemical techniques. This will be of interest to chemists in general and in particular to radiation chemists, chemical kineticists, photochemists, physical-organic chemists and spectroscopists. In view of the diverse nature of the field, the book is a multi-authored effort by several experts in their particular areas of research. Six main areas, both basic and applied, were identified and the book is organized around them. The topics were selected in terms of their relative importance and the contribution of radiation chemistry to the general areas of chemistry, biology and physics. The topics covered are as diverse as gas phase radiation chemistry, the use of radiation chemical techniques, the treatment of water pollutants, the chemical basis of radiation biology, and muonium chemistry. The book also contains an update of the next generation electron accelerators.

Industry and academia remain fascinated with the diverse properties and applications of polymers. However, most introductory books on this enormous and important field do not stress practical problem solving or include recent advances, which are critical for the modern polymer scientist-to-be. Updating the popular first edition of "the polymer book

Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage of progress in the major areas of chemical research. Written by experts in their specialist fields the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, supplying regular critical in-depth accounts of progress in particular areas of chemistry. For over 80 years the Royal Society of Chemistry and its predecessor, the Chemical Society, have been publishing reports charting developments in chemistry, which originally took the form of Annual Reports. However, by 1967 the whole spectrum of chemistry could no longer be contained within one volume and the series Specialist Periodical Reports was born. The Annual Reports themselves still existed but were divided into two, and subsequently three, volumes covering Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. For more general coverage of the highlights in chemistry they remain a 'must'. Since that time the SPR series has altered according to the fluctuating degree of activity in various fields of chemistry. Some titles have remained unchanged, while others have altered their emphasis along with their titles; some have been combined under a new name whereas others have had to be discontinued. The current list of Specialist Periodical Reports can be seen on the inside flap of this volume.