Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is widely used to study biological systems and non-biological systems, being an invaluable tool in inorganic chemistry, particularly in coordination chemistry. In this work it is described how CD may be used empirically to obtain structural and analytical information on transition metal complexes with optically active ligands, as well as relevant information on the interaction of metal ions with large bio-molecules such as proteins and DNA. Particular relevance is given to oxovanadium (IV) compounds.