This text incorporates many new chemical developments, particularly the more recent theoretical advances in the interpretation of bonding and reactivity in inorganic compounds. It provides a reasonable achievement for advanced students, as it encompasses the chemistry of all chemical elements and their compounds, including interpretative discussion in the light of advances in structural chemistry, general valence theory, and ligand field theory. The text covers the periodic table systematically, and special chapters treat metal atom clusters, reaction mechanisms, metal carbonyls, and bio-inorganic chemistry. Since the 4th edition, descriptive chemistry has been increased and theoretical material decreased where necessary.