Modern trends of the chemistry of nitrous oxide are Modern trends of the chemistry of nitrous oxide are discussed. Data on its structure, physical properties and reactivity discussed. Data on its structure, physical properties and reactivity are generalised. The effect of N are generalised. The effect of N 2 2 O on the environment and the O on the environment and the possibility of its utilisation are considered. Attention is focused on possibility of its utilisation are considered. Attention is focused on the processes in which the oxidising potential of nitrous oxide can the processes in which the oxidising potential of nitrous oxide can be employed. The bibliography includes 329 references be employed. The bibliography includes 329 references. . A V Leont'ev, O A Fomicheva, M V Proskurnina Russian Federation. Fax (7-095) 939 02 90. Tel. (7-095) 939 50 59 (A V Leont'ev, O A Fomicheva), (7-095) 939 16 20 (M V Proskurnina). E-mail: alexandr@org.chem.msu.ru (A V Leont'ev), marina@org.chem.msu.ru (M V Proskurnina) N S Zefirov