Originating in 1967, this series provides a guide to the preparation, properties and uses of thousands of reagents, with additional references to reagents previously discussed. It includes data on structural formulas, molecular weight, physical constants, preferred method of preparation, and examples of important uses. The series' standard format continues with this current volume, which covers the reagent literature published from mid-1988 to the end of 1989.

Mary Fieser received her formal education at Bryn Mawr and Radcliffe. Since then, she has been active with her husband in research and writing. Their numerous books include Organic Chemistry, which was translated into ten languages, and Steroids, of which four editions have been published. Mrs. Fieser has received the D.Sc. degree from Smith and Mount Holyoke, and the Garvin Medal of the American Chemical Society.