Since the discovery of X-ray diffraction in 1913 over 100 000 different inorganic substances (also called compounds or phases) have been structurally characterized. The information has been published in some 200 000 publication spread over more than 1 000 different scientific journals.

The aim of this reference work is to provide the researcher with a comprehensive compilation of all up to now crystallographically identified inorganic substances in only one volume.

All data have been processed and critically evaluated by the "Pauling File" editorial team using a unique software package. Each substance is represented in a single row containing information adapted to the number of chemical elements.