Multinational contributors provide extensive coverage regarding the synthesis and properties of this important functional group. Structural chemistry; NMR and mass spectrometry; analytical factors such as thermochemistry; reactivity, namely electrophilic, acidity, basicity and rearrangements; natural occurrence and biochemistry are among the subjects discussed. Table of Contents General and Theoretical (R. Bader). Structural Chemistry (E. Osawa). Stereochemistry, Conformations (J. Anderson). Chiroptical Properties (J. Brewster). Enumeration, Topological Indices and Molecular Properties (L. Kier & L. Hall). Thermochemistry (S. Benson & N. Cohen). Analysis (Z. Aizenshtat). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (S. Berger & M. Ochs). Mass Spectrometry (T. Gaumann). Photoelectron Spectroscopy (E. Heilbronner). Acidity and Basicity (A. Hopkinson). Modern Methods of Synthesis (G. Mehta & H. Rao). Electrophilic Reactions on Alkanes (G. Olah & S. Prakash). Radical Reaction on Alkanes (G. Russell). Combustion and Pyrolysis (U. Wiersum). Organometallic Complexes and Activation (R. Crabtree). Bioinorganic Oxidation of Alkanes (K. Suslick). Rearrangements and Photochemical Reactions (T. Oppenlander). Radiation Chemistry (A. Hummel). Electrochemistry (H. Schafer). Synthesis and Uses of Isotopically Labelled Alkanes (M. Zielinski & M. Kanska). Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology (D. Banthorpe). Inverted and Planar Carbon (W. Agosta). Indexes.