One of the characteristics of the development of chemical science in the middle of the present century is the vigorous pro gress of the "third chemistry," which is often named now the chemistry of heteroorganic compounds. Then in the last decade, among specialists in this field there has been a marked increase in interest in heteroatomic organic derivatives of silicon, i. e. , heteroorganic silicon compounds. However, until recently this new class of chemical substances, which is extremely interesting theoretically and practically, has been without a single specialized monograph which systematizes and generalizes all progress in the heteroorganic chemistry of silicon. The first attempt in this direction was our book "Heteroorganic Compounds of Silicon" [42 (F), 17 (S) *], which appeared at the end of 1966 and was published as an English translation in the USA in 1969. However, as follows from its subtitle "Derivatives of Inorganic Elements," this mono graph could not cover the whole broad field of the chemistry of heteroorganic compounds of silicon. The main reason for this was above all the abundance and variety of original investigations of organosilicon derivatives of inorganic elements, which was un expected even to the authors themselves. As a result of this the planned length of the book compelled us to omit the sections on organosilicon compounds of phosphorus and sulfur, which had al ready been prepared for publication.

One of the characteristics of the development of chemical science in the middle of the present century is the vigorous pro gress of the "third chemistry," which is often named now the chemistry of heteroorganic compounds. Then in the last decade, among specialists in this field there has been a marked increase in interest in heteroatomic organic derivatives of silicon, i. e. , heteroorganic silicon compounds. However, until recently this new class of chemical substances, which is extremely interesting theoretically and practically, has been without a single specialized monograph which systematizes and generalizes all progress in the heteroorganic chemistry of silicon. The first attempt in this direction was our book "Heteroorganic Compounds of Silicon" [42 (F), 17 (S) *], which appeared at the end of 1966 and was published as an English translation in the USA in 1969. However, as follows from its subtitle "Derivatives of Inorganic Elements," this mono graph could not cover the whole broad field of the chemistry of heteroorganic compounds of silicon. The main reason for this was above all the abundance and variety of original investigations of organosilicon derivatives of inorganic elements, which was un expected even to the authors themselves. As a result of this the planned length of the book compelled us to omit the sections on organosilicon compounds of phosphorus and sulfur, which had al ready been prepared for publication.

This book was undertaken for the purpose of bringing together the widely diverse lines of experimental work and thinking which has been expressed but has often been unheard on the title question. It will be clear to the reader that a critical viewpoint has been maintained in assembling the material of this rapidly expanding area of concern to organic chemists. It should be clear, too, that the authors are not purvey ing a singular viewpoint and do not regard the discussions presented as the ultimate word on the subject. In fact, it should be anticipated that many ofthe viewpoints pre sented may have to be altered in the light of new developments. In recognition of this and to show the wayan appendix of recent results and interpretation has been included where an alteration in viewpoint on some of the material treated in the text has been necessitated by developments in the most recent literature. This ap pendix should be regarded as the reader's opportunity to maintain currency in all aspects of this subject ifit is kept abreast of the literature. The bibliography, from which most of the material of discussion has been drawn, is organized in a somewhat unusual manner which deserves some explana tion here. A reference citation can consist of (as much as) a six space combination of letters and numerals.

The series of three monographs devoted to the chemistry of heterosiloxanes provides a critical examination of the data concerning these compounds that has accumulated in the literature over the last 20 years. Having previously dealt with oxygen-silicon compounds of metals in Volume 1 (4811-3, 1989), the authors turn their attention to oxygen-silicon compounds of non-metal organogens. Specifically, Volume 2 covers oxygen-silicon derivatives of nitrogen and phosphorus, and discusses aspects of these compounds such as their methods of synthesis, physical and chemical properties and biological activity. It also considers methods of analysis and possible practical applications. Volume 3 (forthcoming) will deal with derivatives of oxygen and sulfur. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This is the most recent of the Patai Updates, the "spin-off" series from the "Chemistry of Functional Groups". It covers hypervalent silicon compounds; siloxane polymers and copolymers; organosilicon derivatives of phosphorus; arsenic; antimony; and bismuth; chemistry of compounds with silicon-sulphur; silicon-selenium and silicon-tellurium bonds; transition-metal silyl derivatives; and chemistry of compounds with silicon-nitrogen bonds.