Why has the energetics of organometallic species become an area of recognized importance? What methods are available to obtain information on reaction enthalpies and bond strengths? What other methods are likely to be used in the future? Is the present thermochemical data bank satisfactory for our needs? How accurately can we estimate the energetics of organometallic reactions? Can theory offer reliable help? Which are the main problems to be tackled by the experimentalist?

The current volume consists of eight chapters which interweave various aspects of the structure, energetics and reactivity of organic free radicals, all combining pedagogical insights with current research. The first is by Walling in which a personalized overview is given by one of the modern pioneers of the discipline. In the next two chapters, Tsang, and Traeger and Kompe, present key thermochemical and kinetic quantities from the complementary vantage points of the studies of neutral and cationic species. The fourth chapter by Francisco and Montgomery discusses the armamentarium of modern...