The preceding volume appeared in 1987 and covered the literature up to the end of 1984. The present work extends the coverage to the end of 1994 with a sprinkling of references to 1995 papers. Nearly 900 new qui nones are described, including one or two which were overlooked previously, together with new work on older compounds. For each new quinone information is provided on the distribution, spectra, structure and chemistry, and on biosynthesis where available. Sadly, there is very little new chemistry, as structures are now elucidated almost entirely by spectroscopic methods and X-ray...

The earlier volumes of this series have long been regarded by chemists as classics of their type, providing accurate and reliable information compiled by one of the world's leading figures in the field. Detailed and authoritative reviews of the chemistry and characterisation of the naturally occuring quinones reported during the last 10 years are provided in this fourth volume which describes more than 900 new compounds.

When Volume 1 (Toxicolpgy) in this series of Standard Operating Procedures was pub- lished in early 1979, the FDA's Good Laboratory Practice Regulations did not have the force of United States Law, but nevertheless had a substantial impact on the conduct of toxicology in laboratories throughout the world. These Regulations are now in force, and Volume 2 (Pathology) was published later the same year. Our critics have implied that we have attempted to reduce toxicology to the level of the cookery book, or alternatively that we seek to impose our standards on others, In some sinister way...