The scientific literature in chemistry and physics abounds with abbreviations of chemical compounds, physical methods and mathematical procedures. Unfortunately, many authors take it for granted that the reader knows the meaning of an abbreviation, something quite trivial for a specialist. For the less informed reader, these abbreviations thus present definite communication problems. The Gmelin Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Max Planck Society has collected more than 4000 abbreviations for methods and terms from chemistry, physics and mathematics and more than 4000 chemical compounds (mostly ligands in coordination chemistry and standard reagents for physical and analytical methods). GABCOM and GABMET provide an overview enabling readers and authors to check the definition of an abbreviation used by an author and to see whether this abbreviation is already being used for other purposes. GABCOM and GABMET are also in preparation in electronic form (data file and search software) for IBM-PC or compatible computers.

The volume is concerned exclusively with all the binary species formed between the elements silicon and fluorine such as SiF, SiF2, SiF3, SiF4, and Sif62-. Most of the volume, i.e. 144 pages, is devoted to the description of the well known physical and chemical properties of the SiF4 as well as to its preparation. This is followed in length by the report on SiF2 with its interesting chemistry, along with a section on the diatomic radical SiF. Species with fivefold and sixfold coordination of silicon are exemplified by SiF5- and by the well known SiF62-. Interestingly, the detailed models for describing the bonding situation in both ions are still a matter of discussion. While for Si2F6 most of the basic data are known, information on the chemical and physical properties of the higher members of the acylic perfluorosilanes, SinF2n+2, is scarce. All available information on the unstable cyclic perfluorosilanes of composition (SiF2)n and some even more exotic species is also included.

With 200,000 entries in over eighty different fields, Scientific and Technical Acronyms, Symbols, and Abbreviations is the most comprehensive reference of its type, covering more scientific and technical disciplines than any other available book. This invaluable resource will help scientists, engineers, and researchers understand and utilize current terminology in almost any field-from aeronautics to zoology. All accepted abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols are included, from the most obscure to the most common, as well as an appendix that provides important lists of units, systems of units, conversion factors, and prefixes. Science writers, journalists, translators, interpreters-anyone working in or around the sciences-will find this a helpful, easy-to-use guide to difficult technical jargon. Entries are listed in alphabetical order and are defined according to the field in which they are currently in use. Multiple definitions are listed for abbreviations and acronyms that may be in use in more than one field. For instance, the entry for the abbreviation "cb" would show several meanings: "CB" for Canada Balsam, "Cb" for cerebellum, and "c-B" for crystalline boron, among others. Entries for terms in languages other than English are included, as well as abbreviations for all known scientific and technical journals. Simple, comprehensive, and up-to-date, Scientific and Technical Acronyms, Symbols, and Abbreviations is a complete and vital reference for professionals in almost any scientific or technical discipline.