New methods for the construction of condensed five-membered ring systems continue to be developed at an accelerated pace. The challenges underlying this tremendous current upsurge of interest arise from several directions. One stems from the desire to elucidate and resolve those special problems associated with the incorporation of added strain not present when six-membered rings are mutually fused. The many structurally interesting polyquinane natural products isolated and characterized in recent years have provided a particularly delightful forum for application of various new synthetic protocols, many of which must equally well accommodate the particular stereochemical demands of each indi vidual target. Synthetic elaboration of a marvellous array of new unnatural molecules also holds continued fascination. In the past, we have attempted to keep others abreast of developments in this rapidly burgeoning area by authoring a pair of comprehensive reviews in Topics in Current Chemistry that appeared in 1979 [1] and 1984 [2]. During this period, others have also surveyed the developments in cyclopentannulation [3] and the cyclopentanoid field in general [4]. In the last couple of years, the pace at which new synthetic facets have been reported has become more frenetic than ever before. Accordingly, a suitable updating of the exciting newer findings was deemed appropriate and the present overview, which extends approximately to mid - 1986, was written. Once again, our hope is that compilations of this type will serve to stimulate imaginative new scientific ventures that will propel the field forward to still greater maturity.

Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry continues to focus on providing timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences, which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies.
Sections I-IV are disease orientated and generally report on specific medicinal agents.
Sections V and VI continue to emphasize important topics in medicinal chemistry, biology, and drug design.
* Annual comprehensive reviews of the past year literature in many topics of interest to medicinal chemists
* Includes a comprehensive set of indices to easily locate topics in Volumes 1-38 of this series
* Provides critical review on hot topics in medicinal chemistry

Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies.