"Bretherick" is widely accepted as the leading reference work on reactive chemical hazards and is essential for all those working with chemicals. It includes every chemical for which documented information on reactive hazards has been found. The text covers over 5000 elements and compounds and as many again of secondary entries involving two or more compounds. One of its most valuable features is the extensive cross referencing throughout both sections which links similar compounds or incidents not obviously related. The sixth edition has been completely updated and revised by Peter Urben and contains documented information on hazards and appropriate references up to 1999 Volume 1 is devoted to specific information on the stability of the listed compounds, or the reactivity of mixtures of two or more of them under various circumstances. Each compound is identified by an UPAC-based name, the CAS registry number, its empirical formula and structure. Each description of an incident or violent reaction gives reference to the original literature. Each chemical is classified on the basis of similarities in structure or reactivity, and these groups are listed alphabetically in Volume 2. The group entries contain a complete listing of all the compounds in Volume 1 assigned to that group to assist cross referral to similar compounds. Volume 2 also contains hazard topic entries arranged alphabetically, some with lists. Appendices include a fire related data table for higher risk chemicals, indexes of registry numbers. The combined set includes Version 3.0 of the Bretherick"s Reactive Chemical Hazards Database. This new version of the database has been developed using the widely-used and highly-regarded FOLIO VIEWS environment. This offers unparalleled searching strengths by a variety of textual means, which the user can select and modify. It is also possible to bookmark or append entries and to customise the data set according to the user"s own research or experience. Also new for this version is the incorporation of HDS" PSI structure searching software, which is integral to the product. Every chemical included has an associated structure, and by using the PSI software it is now possible to search the data-set for other entries which have the same or similar reactive groups, or structures which the user may suspect of being the cause of a particular hazardous reactive trait. This is obviously an especially valuable facility where a given chemical is not included in the database or indeed the literature, but similar compounds or chemicals may be located and evaluated. The majority of the data is devoted to specific information on the stability of the listed compounds, or the reactivity of mixtures of two or more of them under various circumstances. Each compound is identified by an IUPAC-based name, the CAS registry number, its empirical formula and its structure; all of which may be made the subject of search criteria. Each description of an incident or violent reaction gives reference to the original literature. Each chemical is classified on the basis of similarities in structure or reactivity, and these groups are also included. The group entries contain a complete listing of all the compounds, which have their own unique entries and are assigned to that group, to assist cross referral to similar compounds. Naturally these are all hot-linked, and there is also a set of general hazard topic entries.