Progress in biological and biochemical research is based mainly on a better understanding of life processes. Controlled manipulation of the structure of biological mac- romolecules and the synthesis of biomimetic models are the basic tools used in bioorganic chemistry. This new series, Bioorganic Chemistry Frontiers, will bring to- gether critical reviews on the progress in this field.

It seems likely that no project of this magnitude is undertaken in the absence of several motivations. This book is no exception. There are, from our perspective, at least two rational reasons for conducting this cataloging and organizational effort. The first of these is the obvious fact that a very large number of macrocyclic polyethers have now been prepared and nowhere is there a comprehensive listing of them. A number of excellent reviews have been published dealing with one or more aspects of macrocycle chemistry, but we felt a great need for a single source listing known compounds. We have, the- fore, attempted to provide such a listing to assist ourselves in keeping track as well as, we hope, helping others in this field. We also felt that there was a need for a survey of methods which have been utilized in the syntheses of these cation binders so that the novice could establish some starting point. Wherever possible, we have also attempted to point to the motivations which en gendered the various syntheses. The somewhat irrational reason which propelled us into this endeavor was the ques tioning of Charlie Morgan who often asked if one or another obscure compound had been synthesized. As often as not, we were uncertain arid now at least have a reference which, if not absolutely complete, will at least save face."

Part of a series which presents reports of efforts in all areas of supramolecular science, this volume discusses a variety of topics in the field.

In this volume, inorganic, organic, and bioorganic chemistry are represented in contributions from around the world. Pioneering work in self-assembled structures organized by the use of transition metals is described in chapter 1, followed by details of extensive studies of self-assembled structures formed from various biomolecules in chapter 2. The next two chapters describe the formation of spherical molecular containers and their understanding of such structures based on Platonic and Archimedean solids, and the fascinating family of synthetic peptide receptors and the interactions that can be explored using these host molecules. In chapter 5 a mixture of computational chemistry, drug design, and synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry in the development of superoxide dismutase mimics is described. The final two chapters discuss the bioorganic and supramolecular principles required for the design of synthetic artificial enzymes, and the supramolecular self-assembly and its possible role in the origin of life.
It is hoped that this broad, international view of supramolecular chemistry and the many directions it leads will be of interest to those already in the field. It is also hoped that those outside the field may see extensions of their own work that will bring them into it.

This volume presents a variety of articles that encompass the broad scope of supramolecular chemistry. Reusch's chapter covers biological channel compounds, while the work of Hall and Kirkovits looks into their synthetic counterparts. Metal ion sensors, calixarenes and "crystal engineering" are described by pioneers in these fields. This work, whilst current and authoritative, shows us that much remains to be undertaken and understood. It is hoped that this volume will be of interest to those who wish to fill these gaps; scientists already in the field and those who may see extensions of their own work that will bring them into it.