[en] Since the end of the Second World War there has been an immense increase in the number of compounds that have been synthesised with radioactive or stable isotopes. These have found application in many diverse fields, so much so that hardly a single area in the pure and applied sciences has not benefited. This development has also been reflected in the growth of proceedings of conferences and journal publications over the years. In addition, individuals have left their mark by producing definitive texts, usually on specific nuclides. Only the classic two-volume publication of Murray and Williams, now over 30 years old and out of print attempted to do justice to several nuclides. Taking into account the large amount of work that has been undertaken since then, it seemed unlikely that an up-dated edition could be produced. The alternative strategy was to ask scientists currently active in the synthetic field to review specific areas, be they on methodology or on labelling certain groups of compounds