This review illustrates the present state of knowledge and directions of interest in infrared spectroscopy through the discussion of a number of examples of recent work. After a brief introduction the survey falls into three parts. The first is concerned with problems of assignment and interpretation of the spectra of polyatomic molecules, and the calculation of force constants. The second deals with the study of some chemical systems by infrared methods, and in the final section mention is made of a number of specialized topics such as matrix-isolation techniques.