Following the general introduction to the present and future status of organic analytical reagents (OAR), a prior prognosis - a posteriori examination, aspects of inorganic chemical analysis are reviewed with emphasis on current practice, recent developments and trends. The technique areas included are qualitative tests, gravimetric and titrimetric procedures, solvent extraction and molecular absorption and luminescence spectroscopy in the UV-Visible region. Recent trends and developments noted are, in UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry - the use of micellar sensitisation; in luminescence - the use of flow temperatures and chemiluminescent reactions; in solvent extraction - an increased interest in ion-association reactions, use of macrocyclic ligands, application of kinetic factors, solid-liquid and flotation systems.