This thesis represents a study of the cure chemistry of three contrasting adhesive technologies, applying a range of analytical approaches to gain further insight into the complex chemistry of adhesives. An introduction is given in chapter one into the general chemistry of adhesives and their analysis, with particular emphasis on anaerobic adhesives and the crucial role played by transition metals in the cure chemistry. In order to elucidate the role played by tertiary amines and saccahrin in anaerobic adhesives, polarography was used to monitor the concentrations of various transition metal species in the presence of selected cure components. In addition, cyclic voltammetry was used to measure the oxidation potentials of anaerobic adhesive accelerators at a range of pH values. A polarographic study of the reactions of elemental copper and iron in the presence of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline based cure systems was carried out in chapter three. The ability of iron and copper ions to decompose cumene hydroperoxide, and the influence of anaerobic adhesive accelerators on these reactions, was also studied. In chapter four, a brief introduction is given into the autoxidation of N-phenyl-2- propyl-3,5-diethyl-l,2-dihydropyridine (DHP) and its potential as an initiator in rapid curing, surface insensitive one-part adhesives. A variety of analytical techniques were then used, including spectrophotometry and an enzyme-based biosensor, to conclusively prove that hydrogen peroxide is generated in the autoxidation of DHP. In chapter five, an investigation was made on the use o f anion exchange chromatography coupled with conductivity detection, for the determination of inorganic anions and organic acid anions in cyanoacrylate adhesives. A brief overview of the main findings of the thesis are given in chapter six, along with suggestions for future studies.