This volume contains the full text of twenty ofthe twenty-one papers given at the Montreux 1990 International Chemical Information Conference in Mon treux, Switzerland between 24 and 26 September 1990. The one paper that is omitted was not received in time for incorporation in these Proceedings. The papers reflect the diverse nature of chemical information, an information field that has usually been in the forefront of applying new technology to solving information problems. In many ways, the electronic information revolution is still in its infancy; during the Montreux conferences, we intend to chart the dynamic interaction between chemical information and new technology. One publishing problem with an information field that moves so rapidly is the constant need to make printed information available within weeks or months of it being written. The majority of papers in this volume were written during the period May - July 1990. Conventional publishing, of course, allows authors time to proof-read their texts, to make changes and corrections and allows time for the contents to be indexed extensively. Time, however, is a luxury in the case of conference proceedings in the area of chemical, pharmaceutical and patent information at the beginning of the 1990s. We hope readers will appreciate the necessary trade-off that has had to take place between text thoroughly prepared, revised, indexed and corrected; and text that is available for general readership soon after it was written.

This volume contains the full text of twenty-six of the thirty-one papers given at the Montreux 1989 International Chemical Information Conference in Montreux, Switzerland between 26 and 28 September 1989. The five papers omitted were due to their late completion and subsequent unavailability for incorporation in this volume. Of the twenty-six papers included, all but three were delivered to Infonortics in diskette form between 1 July and 1 August 1989; by 17 August 1989 the 310 pages of text and figures were typeset and scanned graphics inserted. By 26 September 1989 all copies were printed in England and delivered to the Montreux Congress Centre in Switzerland. The rapid and efficient process reflects creditably on all parties concerned, especially on the authors who followed assiduously the detailed instructions concerning presentation they were given. Conventional publishing is not so rapid, but conventional publishing does give time for authors to proof-read their texts, make correc tions and add material, and gives time for the publisher to index the work thoroughly and completely. The current Proceedings have not been proof-read by the authors, nor is there an index. I hope that readers will appreciate this trade-off between currency and thoroughness and will recognise some of the limitations imposed by publishing proceedings at the same time the conference is held. H.R. Collier Infonortics Ltd., August 1989 Caine, Wiltshire, England v Table of Contents Chemical information as a commercial marketplace E. Garfield ..*.*.***..........*.*...*............*.*...*.