The chemistry of transition metal carbyne complexes has become a highly attractive field during the past twenty years. In recent years its application to aspects of catalysis and metathesis has gained considerable interest from inorganic as well as organic chemists. In addition, organic synthesis by means of metal carbon multiple bond reagents offers the most sophisticated technology currently available. In consideration of these developments some of Professor E. O. Fischer's former coworkers and colleagues felt obliged to orga­ nize this NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Transition Metal Carbyne Complexes in the Bavarian Alps. They have been encouraged by the fact that most of the distinguished scientists in the field of metal-carbon multiple bond chemistry had finally agreed to participate and to present stimulating lectures. The organizers of the workshop are deeply grateful to the Scientific Affairs Division of the NATO for the generous financial support of the meeting in Wildbad Kreuth and for the preparation of this book. They also feel indebted to acknowledge the generous support from Wacker-Chemie, BASF, Peroxid-Chemie, Hoechst and Bayer. Finally they thank the staff of the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung in Wildbad Kreuth for providing a pleasant and stimu­ lating atmosphere during the meeting.