Tin occupies the interesting position of a group 14 element that exhibits metallic properties. The chemistry of organotin compounds has enjoyed both a rich history (dating from 1849) and a modern level of activity that continues to expand. Since WWII each decade has been blessed with one or more monographs that summarize and put into context the advances of that period. Davies's tome is a welcome addition to this group.

This book contains nineteen short and concise chapters organized on the basis of the groups bonded to tin. Each chapter focuses on the most recent aspects of the tin functionality and is augmented by numerous structures, equations, schemes, and tables. The chapters are organized with the synthesis of the tin functionality first followed by the properties of that functional group. This section of the chapter usually includes characterization by spectroscopy and crystallography, if available. The latter part of each chapter is devoted to reactions of the tin group. Each entry is carefully documented by one or more references. The chapter titles (and number of included references) are Introduction (48); Physical Methods and Physical Data (60); Formation of the Carbon­Tin Bond (111); Alkylstannanes (60); Functionally-Substituted Alkylstannanes (79); Aryl-, Alkynyl-, and Alkenyl-Stannanes (121); Allyl- and Cyclopentadienyl-Stannanes (67); Stannacycloalkanes (32); Organotin Halides (72); Organotin Hydroxides and Oxides (94); Organotin Carboxylates and Other Oxyesters (59); Organotin Alkoxides, Phenoxides and Peroxides (108); Organotin Hydrides (95); Sn­N Bonded Compounds (67); Organotin Compounds of Sulfur (28); Compounds with SnSn Bonds (72); Compounds with Tin Metal Bonds (71); Organotin Radicals and Radical Ions (5); Stannylenes, Stannenes and Distannenes (84). There is something for everyone.

This extensive bibliography totals almost fourteen hundred references and covers the literature up to 1995 with a few citations in 1996. Davies's philosophy on literature citations is that "it is easier to trace references back in time rather than forward." Thus for many reactions the more recent reference is given rather than a comprehensive list of earlier citations. The subject index contains a nomenclature guide for the tin functionality found therein. An additional attractive feature of this monograph is an accompanying computer disk that contains about twenty-five hundred references (about eleven hundred not found in the book) on which the text is based. These references are in a tagged text file and are keyed to numbered sections in the book. The entire bibliography can be searched on either a PC or a Macintosh for authors, keywords, title words, or book section. It is Davies's intention to revise this invaluable resource and make it available to interested chemists in the future.

The book contains so much information that it would be pointless to attempt to mention all the high points. Certainly the coverage of the chemistry of compounds containing tin­oxygen bonds is very complete, including a discussion of reversed micelle structures as catalysts for polar reactions in nonpolar media. ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and Mössbauer spectra were widely discussed throughout the chapters. On the other side of the coin, the extensive use of tin hydrides in free-radical annelation reactions is lightly touched and transition metal catalyzed hydrostannation is not mentioned.

In summary, this book is a must for the organometallic collection of all chemistry libraries. In that respect it can replace a number of earlier books that document the evolution of organotin chemistry. The book is also recommended for the personal library of main-group metal chemists. Owning a copy will save many trips to the library.