This encyclopedic and systematic collection of useful synthetic methodology contains almost 15,000 reactions and over 23,000 references. It represents the most complete sourcebook of organic reactions and functional group preparations available. The criteria for inclusion are that yields should be at least 50 %, that the reaction should be either general in scope or so unique that the methodology will find real synthetic utility, and that the agents should be readily available or easily prepared and handled in the laboratory. Similar transformations are grouped together whenever possible. The literature coverage is complete through 1987 and considers over 160 primary chemical journals as well as a number of books and reviews. Extensive indexes enable the user to access quickly the information needed either from the starting material or product.