The alkali hydroxides, NaOH and KOH, and the alkali oxides, NaO and KO, have been studied. Emphasis has been on the determination of bond energies and spectra for these species. Sodium cluster oxidation with several oxidants including the halogens and SO/sub 2/ has been characterized. Several experimental configurations have been tested as a means for generating intense, stable, and long-lasting chemiluminescent emission from the alkali hydroxides NaOH and KOH and the alkali oxides NaO and KO. Thus far, from the chemiluminescent studies we have determined stringent lower bounds for the K-OH (88.6 kcal/mole) and NaOH (82.5 kcal/mole) bond energies. The NaO and KO bond energies have been determined to be 70 -5 and 75 -5 kcal/mole respectively. Preliminary molecular constants have been determined for K-OH and NaO. A major impetus of the present studies has been the attempt to develop oven systems which circumvent problems in flame formation and stability common to the alkali hydroxides and oxides but not present in typical chemiluminescent metal oxidation systems. Most pronounced among these is the extremely efficient formation of extensive particulate matter which appears to result from the formation of alkali hydroxide and alkali oxide polymers. The major emphasis in sodium cluster oxidation studies as they represent potential models for sodium surface oxidation has been: (1) the definition of the system through the characterization of highly exothermic chemiluminescent channels associated with sodium cluster - halogen atom oxidation and through mass spectrometry, (2) the characterization of highly exothermic channels for the oxidation of sodium clusters with SO/sub 2/, (3) the development of diagnostics for the detection of product ion formation in sodium cluster oxidation, and (4) the development of electron impact excitation techniques. 17 figures, 1 table.