The study of macrocyclic ligand systems represents a major activity impinging on a wide range of areas in chemistry and biochemistry. This book contains an overview of the macrocyclic ligand systems and discusses the structure and properties of macrocyclic systems; the synthesis of macrocycles; polyether crown and related systems; metal-ion and molecular recognition (host-guest chemistry); and kinetic, thermodynamic, and electrochemical aspects of these complexes. The author also covers the various categories of synthetic and naturally occuring macrocycles.