Chemical Communications Blog

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Shiqiang Wang (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) of A*STAR, Singapore) below!​​​

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Dr. Shiqiang Wang (MRSC) is a Scientist at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) of A*STAR Singapore, with over a decade of experience in crystal engineering, coordination chemistry, and metal-organic materials. Before joining IMRE, he worked as a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore. He completed his PhD in 2020 and continued as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Limerick, Ireland. He has published over 40 scientific papers and 2 international patents (h index = 20). His research excellence has been recognised with several awards, including the European Crystallographic Association (ECA) “Young Scientist” Award (2018), the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) “Young Scientist” Award (2019), the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2020), the RSC “Early Career Researcher” Bursary (2024) and Researcher Development and Travel Grant (2024). In 2023, Dr. Wang was interviewed by the esteemed RSC Journal ChemComm. He was also invited to attend the 11th Global Young Scientist Summit (GYSS) in 2024, organized by the NRF Singapore. Recently, he was awarded the MTC Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG), which supports his independent research. You can reach out to Shiqiang on Twitter: @ShiQiang_SQ, WeChat: sqwang0123, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sqwangchem or his personal website: https://sqwangchem.com/.

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

ChemComm has made significant progress over the years, particularly in advancing open access and research transparency. Its special issues, such as Milestones – First Independent Articles and thematic collections on emerging fields, spotlight new trends, early-career researchers, and underrepresented voices in science.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

Its emphasis on concise (4-page), high-impact research that covers diverse areas of chemistry while remaining accessible to a broad audience.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

ChemComm stands out for its concise format and rapid publication (100 issues annually).

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

The peer review process at ChemComm is rigorous yet efficient, ensuring high-quality publications while maintaining a swift timeline. The editorial team is highly professional and supportive, offering clear communication and guidance throughout the submission and review process.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

ChemComm could further support future scientists by expanding initiatives like early-career editorial boards and mentorship programs. Providing more opportunities for young researchers to act as guest editors or reviewers would offer valuable experience.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Water is ubiquitous on Earth as atmospheric water vapor, however, its uneven geographical distribution affects crucial societal needs, such as freshwater availability and air dehumidification. Porous materials hold great promise for water sorption applications. However, it is crucial to evaluate the performance of these materials across the full range of RH levels, including water uptake, sorption kinetics, recyclability, regeneration temperature, in addition to synthesis costs.

In this work (https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05990E), we present the water sorption properties of the zeolitic metal azolate framework [Zn(mtz)₂]_n (MAF-7), which exhibits distinctive stepped water sorption isotherms over a wide temperature range (15 – 45 °C). Its water sorption performance was assessed in terms of water uptake, sorption kinetics, recyclability, and regeneration temperature. Compared to a variety of commercial desiccants and MOF materials, MAF-7 demonstrates superior or comparable water sorption performance particularly in terms of water deliverability between 60 – 0 % RH. This makes it a promising candidate for water sorption-based applications, such as indoor humidity control.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Based on the findings in this paper, the next steps for research could involve developing enhanced water sorption materials, exploring multi-component sorbents, and integrating these with energy-efficient systems.

Be sure to read Shiqiang’s full communication, “Water sorption performance of the zeolitic metal azolate framework MAF-7” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Robert Godin (University of British Columbia, Canada) below!​​​

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Dr. Robert Godin established the SolarSpec group (Solar Energy Conversion and Spectroscopy) in 2018 at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The group develops time-resolved spectroscopic tools to better understand carbon-based semiconductors for sustainable energy production, with a healthy dose of physical organic chemistry concepts. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Robert has fostered an interest in photochemistry since the start of his higher education career. He first got introduced to photochemistry and spectroscopy techniques working with Prof. Tito Scaiano during his B.Sc. at the University of Ottawa. He continued to learn advanced optical techniques with Prof. Gonzalo Cosa during his Ph.D. on single molecule spectroscopy at McGill University. Robert then completed a FRQNT-funded postdoctoral stint from 2015 to 2018 with Prof. James Durrant at Imperial College London, UK, to fully enter the field of solar energy conversion.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

It’s a go-to place for concise and timely reports!

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

I believe that there needs to be renewed efforts to reach youths and pass on the importance of the chemical sciences and research, and how fun it can be! Key advances are driven by curiosity, and I’ve found chemistry to be an amazing field to let my creativity loose. There are increasing funding pressures and a desire for immediate results that dampens this creativity. Doubling efforts to reach youths with recent ways to communicate with them, engage with them, is needed to maintain a healthy state of chemical sciences.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

In this publication we describe the different methods of modifying the surface properties of carbon nitride, an emerging organic photocatalyst, and their impact on photocatalytic systems. We focus on energy applications, like H2 production, and environmental applications, mainly arsenic water remediation. The surface is key for interfacial charge transfer and/or adsorption of relevant species, making its modification critical to developing optimized photocatalysts.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

This paper sets the stage for a more diverse view of modifying the surface of carbon nitrides. While there are likely complex convolution effects, I believe that conceptually separating bulk modifications (e.g., to improve charge transport) and surface modifications (e.g., to improve interfacial charge transfer and reactivity) will lead to new synthetic pathways and better materials.

Be sure to read Robert’s full Highlight, “Surface properties of carbon nitride materials used in photocatalytic systems for energy and environmental applications” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Theocharis C. Stamatatos (University of Patras, Greece) below!​​​

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Dr. Theocharis C. Stamatatos is Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Chemistry Department of the University of Patras. He received his B.Sc. degree of Chemistry in 2003 and his Ph.D. diploma in 2006 from the Chemistry Department of the University of Patras. During the period 2006-2008, he carried out postdoctoral research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA), while from 2009-2012 he has been a Temporary Lecturer (PD 407/80) at the Chemistry and Materials Science Departments of the University of Patras. From 2012 to 2019, he has been a permanent faculty member (Assistant and Associate Professor) of Molecular Inorganic Chemistry at the Chemistry Department of Brock University (Ontario, Canada). In addition to his postdoctoral and academic career in USA and Canada, respectively, his research experience abroad includes the following: (i) 8 months of research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Cyprus (2004-2005), (ii) 3 months research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Manchester, UK (2005), (iii) 6 months of research at the Chemistry Department of the University of Florida, USA (2005-2006), and (iv) 12 months of research at the Chemistry Department of Mainz University, Germany (2016 & 2018). He is currently: a) Collaborating Teaching Member at the Hellenic Open University (FYE12: General and Inorganic Chemistry), and b) Collaborating Faculty Member at the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas / Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT) of Patras.   His research activity as an independent researcher in Greece and Canada has been funded by the: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, NSERC Research Tools and Instruments, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Operational Program “Human Resource Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014-2020”, as well as private sectors. During his career, he has received the following distinctions and awards: “Young Investigator Award”, American Chemical Society 2007, Boston, USA. “A DocMolMag Award” – A European Award on Molecular Magnetism Doctoral Thesis for the best PhD thesis in Molecular Magnetism and related fields, Florence, Italy, 2008. “Emerging Investigators”, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2010 & 2024. “Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence”, Brock University, Canada, 2016-2018. “Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers”, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 2015-2018.

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

I have definitely seen ChemComm evolve over the past 10 years fostering the publication of very attractive papers in all disciplines of Chemistry. This is exactly what I find the most noteworthy aspect of this journal… publishing with ChemComm makes your paper visible in the entire chemistry academic community.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

The quality of the published papers, the fast and fair revisions from the selected reviewers and the friendly communication with their editorial members and board.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

For me ChemComm stands out among the best 3 chemistry-oriented journals globally.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

That fits within my answer to question 2. Excellent interaction!!! Great choices of reviewers as academics and leaders in their fields.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

I think that the organization of awards, special issues and distinctions for young investigators are actions which can further support and engage the new generations.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

To speak in common language, in our recent ChemComm paper we have been able to use principles of coordination and organic chemistry to modulate the ligand field environment of the lanthanide ion and prepare a mononuclear, air-stable compound with a massive energy barrier for the magnetization reversal, rendering this species a promising candidate for applications in the fields of memory storage, molecular spintronics and quantum computation.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, especially the deposition of this molecular compound on functional surfaces, such as various 2-D materials, or its encapsulation in fullerenes, and so on.

Be sure to read Theocharis’s full communication, “Unveiling new [1+1] Schiff-base macrocycles towards high energy-barrier hexagonal bipyramidal Dy(iii) single-molecule magnets” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Christopher Jones (Queen Mary University of London, UK) below!​​​

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Christopher R. Jones is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He obtained his PhD in organic chemistry under the supervision of Professor Martin D. Smith (University of Cambridge, 2009). He then moved to the University of Oxford as a Junior Research Fellow to work with Professor Timothy J. Donohoe. He joined QMUL in 2013 as a Ramsay Memorial Research Fellow and in 2015 was awarded an EPSRC Early Career Fellowship. His research interests are based on the development of new synthetic methods, with a particular focus on aryne chemistry and related applications in functional carbon nanomaterial preparation.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

I have always found the peer review process to be efficient and interactions with the editorial team have been professional and productive.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Exploiting the reactivity of aryne intermediates, we have synthesized 1,2-syn-diaminobenzocyclobutenes (BCBs) for the first time. These conformationally rigid systems have potential for a range of different applications in synthesis, catalysis and polymeric materials.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

I am intrigued to use these BCBs as building blocks for the preparation of new polymers, as well as investigating their applications in catalysis. Controlling the absolute stereochemistry of the chiral diamine also represents a key next step.

Be sure to read Christopher’s full communication, “syn-1,2-Diaminobenzocyclobutenes from [2+2] cycloaddition of 2-imidazolones with arynes” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Linjuan Zhang (Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, China) below!​​​

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Linjuan Zhang is a professor of Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Beihang University in 2007, a Ph.D. degree from Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2012, and worked as a visiting scholar in SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University in 2017. Her main research interests include electrocatalysis, in situ electrochemical X-ray absorption spectrometry and its applications. Website：https://www.x-mol.com/groups/hydrogen_energy

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

My favorite aspect of ChemComm is its ability to rapidly showcase our research ideas and findings. This not only allows researchers to promptly share their research insights but also encourages the introduction of new perspectives and directions within the field. Through the quick publication procedure, ChemComm plays a pivotal role in advancing frontier science, fostering collaboration, and stimulating further research initiatives.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

The peer review process at ChemComm is characterized by its rigor and efficiency, ensuring that published research meets high academic standards. Submissions undergo thorough evaluations by experts in the field, who provide constructive feedback aimed at enhancing the quality of the work. Throughout this process, my interactions with the editorial team have been exceptionally positive. They are responsive, supportive, and dedicated to facilitating a smooth publication experience.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

In our recent published work in ChemComm, we present an efficient Cu/PTFE electrode for the reduction of CO₂ to ethylene. Uniformly dispersed nano-sized copper particles were deposited onto a PTFE substrate using ion sputtering. Notably, the surface *OH on the electrode was elegantly modulated by sputtering in a moist Ar atmosphere. The prepared electrode, with increased surface *OH coverage, achieved a FEC₂H₄ over 50% at an exceptionally low potential of -246 mV, with an optimal ethylene Faradaic efficiency of 60.3%. Through in situ Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations, it has been elucidated that the surface *OH species facilitates both the activation of CO₂ and the C-C coupling steps. This work demonstrates a novel strategy for the modification of Cu-based catalysts for low-potential CO₂RR to ethylene with high activity and selectivity. We believe our findings will enhance the understanding of CO₂ electroreduction mechanisms and contribute valuable insights for the efficient design of catalysts.

Be sure to read Linjuan’s full communication, “Hydroxylation boosted low-overpotential CO2 reduction to ethylene for a Cu/PTFE electrode” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Giovanni Valenti and Enrico Rampazzo (University of Bologna, Italy) below!​​​

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		Giovanni Valenti obtained his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Bologna in 2010 under the guidance of Prof. Paolucci. He was appointed as an assistant professor in 2013 and he has been a visiting fellow at Dublin City University (Prof Forster), at the University of Texas (Prof Bard) and University of California (Prof Plaxco). In 2021 he became an associate professor at the Department of Chemistry “Ciamician” (University of Bologna). He is passionate about electrochemistry and the application of electrochemical tools for study molecules and nanomaterials, for light generation (electrochemiluminescence), for early diagnosis (biosensors) and energy application (CO2RR, HER, OER). He is convinced of the fundamental role of science outreach and he is involved in different science festivals including within the pubs of his city.
Enrico Rampazzo obtained his PhD in Chemical Sciences at the University of Padua (Italy) in 2005. He then joined the Photochemistry Group at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, University of Bologna in 2006 where he was appointed assistant professor (2013) and finally associate professor in 2019. His research interests concern photochemistry, materials chemistry, and supramolecular chemistry. He has carried out much of his research in developing fluorescence sensors, (electrochemi)luminescent colloidal systems, and biopolymer-based fluorescent sensors applied to the bio-analytical and environmental fields. His interests focus on luminescent nanosystems, without losing contact with molecules’ structure and properties.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

We appreciate the concept of a direct journal featuring innovative and focused content. The paper must be concise, encouraging authors to prioritize clarity by streamlining the state-of-the-art review and focusing on the key findings of their research. This refinement process benefits the readers. Presenting articles without traditional paragraph divisions is appealing, crafting a cohesive narrative that maintains a continuous thread while placing detailed analysis in supplementary information. ChemCommun also meets the needs of early-career scientists, as it provides an opportunity for PhD students and postdocs to publish key findings.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

We believe young scientists often need more opportunities to showcase their scientific capabilities. This is especially true in highly competitive fields like chemistry, where the financial and instrumental demands for conducting research are substantial. One potential approach could be to dedicate a small part of ChemCommun papers to highlight the scientific achievements of PhD students and early-career researchers.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Our publication focuses on studying the influence of size and dye distribution within ECL-active dye-doped silica nanoparticles (ECL = electrochemiluminescence). These two parameters affect the ECL emission efficiency of a nanoprobe and can be optimized to enhance the ECL signal, leading to amplification. This research is the outcome of the collaborative effort between the Electrochemistry Group and the Photochemistry Group at the Giacomo Ciamician Department of Chemistry, University of Bologna, Italy. Our collaboration, which began in 2009, has enabled the development of various nanomaterials with unique ECL properties. A key focus of our work has been understanding the relationship between the architecture of nanomaterials and their electrochemi-luminescence properties, which has been crucial in identifying the limiting factors that influence ECL signal generation in these systems. Over the years, this partnership resulted in significant publications, such as the one presented here, and in research projects funded by the European Community. The most recent one, ECLipse (Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder GA No. 101046787, https://eclipse-project.eu/ ), coordinated by our department under the guidance of Prof. Prodi, has played a pivotal role in advancing our work. This substantial funding has enabled us to make significant progress in combining (bio)nanomaterials with ECL, for the development of multidisciplinary approaches applied to pathogen quantification.

In you opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Our findings provide valuable insights into the design, optimization, and enhancement of ECL-active nanoprobes. While ECL is widely used in commercial diagnostic assays relying on Ru(II) complexes and tripropylamine, replacing this system with nanoprobes offers a potential advantage on signal amplification, improving the sensitivity of current diagnostic tools. This is particularly crucial for early disease detection and the development of portable, cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic devices, that could be especially useful in developing countries. Furthermore, from these findings, our research is currently moving to  the replacement of tripropylamine with more sustainable components, enhancing the environmental sustainability of these diagnostics tolls, with the additional advantage of expanding their application in live-cell in vitro studies.

Be sure to read the full Communication, “Dye self-organization in doped silica nanoparticles increases the electrochemiluminescence emission in magnetic bead-based assays” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Susumu Saito (Nagoya University, Japan) below!​​​

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Susumu Saito obtained his doctoral degree of Engineering (1998) from Nagoya University (NU). He attended Prof. E. Jacobsen’s group at Harvard, USA, as a Visiting Researcher (1994). His first academic position was as Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, NU (1995), and he became Associate Professor of the Institute for Advanced Research (IAR), NU (2002), and Full Professor and IAR Fellow, NU since 2015. He is an Asian Core Program Lecturer awarded from China (2009) and Taiwan (2009), a recipient of the Nagase Research Award (2018) and SSOCJ Tosoh Award for Environment and Energy (2019); PI of CREST project, JST since 2022. Web page link: http://noy.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/S_Saito-E/

How have you seen ChemComm evolve over the years, and what aspects do you find most noteworthy?

Evolution is not necessarily needed. Keeping traditions is sometimes very important.  ChemCommun is concise and friendly to many new and young authors who just joined our community as principal investigators (PIs). They can share their new findings very quickly with their peer researchers. Technically, we can see some evolution or advancement in your internet submission systems. For example, clearcut peer-review/decision processes, which can be tracked by the authors daily, are useful and intriguing to see for the authors to check the real-time reviewing progress.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

ChemCommun continues accepting fundamentally compact and sharp, but novel scientific findings in pure chemistry rather than a big science. A plethora of new journals recently launched try to be adaptable to fashionable and mainstream trends, more applied materials-oriented, and are too interdisciplinary. Those journals in their entirety frequently ask us to include time-consuming corroborations and profound proof-based interpretations using expensive in silico calculation and machinery analysis.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

Reviewers evaluate the novelty, and urgency of the research results as usual but at the same time not so picky about how the authors went in depth to demonstrate/corroborate the mechanism which takes huge time to firm up and publish it.  It is very nice to accept only new research results as far as the obtained fact is sound and solid.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

Please keep the traditions. Please be tolerant of the research results of young scientists who are just getting started with his/her professional career. They are sometimes rough, but just need a novel outstanding fact which cannot be clearly explained and rationalized.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

We looked at how we could use renewable energy (including sunlight), water and minimal fuel (organic compound) more effectively for a green and uphill (endergonic: DG > 0) organic synthesis (with no salt/organic waste formation) in the future direction of the sustainability.

In you opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

Artificial photosynthesis directed toward organic synthesis, in which a non-natural and thermodynamically endergonic (ΔG° > 0, uphill) reaction that uses water as an electron donor, rather than a source material, is driven by solar-energy. A preprint of the preliminary results has been uploaded (DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4943835/v1) by our group. This result we believe is the dawn of a new era of catalytic organic synthesis for sustainability chemistry, which will hopefully be more rationally and diversely advanced soon.

Be sure to read Susumu’s full article, “PdPt/SrTiO3:Al-catalysed redox-selective photoreduction of unsaturated carboxylic acids using minimal electron-donor and water” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Daisuke Miyoshi (Konan University, Japan) below!​​​

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Daisuke Miyoshi is a professor at Faculty of Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), Konan University. He obtained his BA, MS, and Ph. D (2003) from Konan University in Natural Sciences, conducting his research in the group of Professor Naoki Sugimoto. He then moved to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to join the group of Professor Yi Lu as a postdoctoral fellow, working on a development of functional nucleic acids. In 2004, he returned to Konan University to take up an assistant professor position at Frontier institute of biomolecular Engineering Research (FIBER), Konan University. He moved to FIRST in 2009 and promoted to be a professor in 2014. His research interests are mainly biochemical and biophysical properties of non-canonical nucleic acid structures, such as G-quadruplex, i-motif, triplex, and junction. Especially, he has studied how molecular crowding affects structure and stability of nucleic acids. Currently, he is also focusing on roles of non-canonical nucleic acid structures on biomolecular liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase separations.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

I like ChemComm from a variety of perspectives. The publications in the ChemComm are very general and broad in chemistry-related fields. The length of the paper is perfect to read, and the graphical abstract helps a lot to find out the must read papers. The Feature and Highlight articles are also useful to start studying the related field and to keep updated about the latest research in the field.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

In my opinion, ChemComm is open not only to applied science but also to basic science. I ask all my lab members to check and read the latest research without added hype, because of the great peer review process by the editors and reviewers.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

The peer review process of ChemComm is very rapid and reliable. I have submitted around ten original articles and one FEATURE ARTICLE to ChemComm. I believe that the editors and the reviewers have provided comprehensive support with the constructive and positive feedback. These feedback was very useful to improve my manuscripts.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

Since it is now generally accepted that there are huge number of G-quadruplex-forming sequences on our genome, it is essential to develop G-quadruplex ligands which bind the target G-quadruplex in a sequence-selective manner for their cellular applications. In the recent publication in ChemComm, we developed a new screening system for sequence-selective G-quadruplex ligands, targeting a cancer related NRAS gene. The G-quadruplex ligands identified in this study maintained their binding affinity even in the presence of excess other DNA G-quadruplexes and inhibited a series of enzymes in a sequence-selective manner. I believe that the results obtained here stimulate development of G-quadruplex ligands not only with high affinity but also with high selectivity.

Be sure to read Daisuke’s full article, “NRAS DNA G-quadruplex-targeting molecules for sequence-selective enzyme inhibition” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Elena Pazos (Universidade da Coruña, Spain) below!​​​

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Elena Pazos graduated in Chemistry from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela in 2006, and obtained her PhD under the supervision of Prof. José L. Mascareñas and Prof. M. Eugenio Vázquez, working on luminescent sensors of proteins involved in cancer. During her PhD, she stayed as visiting PhD student with Prof. Thorfinnur Gunnlaugsson at Trinity College Dublin (2008) and with Prof. Scott Silverman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010). After her PhD, she joined Prof. Samuel I. Stupp at Northwestern University, where she worked for two years on the development of hybrid peptide-nanoparticle superstructures with antimicrobial properties. In October 2014, she joined Medcom Advance S.A. as a Research Officer. From December 2015 to June 2017, she worked in the group of Prof. Ramón A. Álvarez-Puebla at the Centre Tecnològic de la Química de Catalunya working on SERS-based biosensors. In July 2017 she joined the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science and the CICA – Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology of the Universidade da Coruña (UDC), thanks to the InTalent UDC – Inditex Programme. She currently holds a Ramón y Cajal contract at the UDC and her research group focuses on the development of new peptide-based materials and biosensors.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

What I like most about ChemComm is the rapid publication of articles, which allows scientists to keep up to date with the latest developments in their field. The journal maintains high standards and ensures that each article undergoes a rigorous and comprehensive peer review process, guaranteeing that the research published in ChemComm is both relevant and reliable. Moreover, I also like the four-page limit for communications. I find it an excellent idea as It challenges authors to focus on the most important aspects of their work and creates a simple format for readers.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

I think the peer review process is fast and highly efficient. The editorial team at ChemComm is excellent at identifying experts to review articles, despite the broad fields of chemistry covered by the journal. In addition, the editorial team is always available and I found them to be highly cooperative and eager to provide any assistance related to the publication of the manuscript.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

In our feature article, we aimed to cover the use of lanthanide metallopeptides for biomolecule sensing and cellular imaging. To introduce the topic to non-experts, we summarized the main spectroscopic properties of luminescent lanthanide complexes and the requirements for lanthanide ion coordination with peptide ligands. We showed how these features can be used to develop smart luminescent biosensors and illustrated the different sensing strategies with representative works from the literature.

Be sure to read Elena’s full article, “Luminescent lanthanide metallopeptides for biomolecule sensing and cellular imaging” to learn more!

ChemComm is publishing its 60th volume in 2024. Over the past 60 years, ChemComm has been the RSC’s most cited journal, and one of the most trusted venues for rapid publication of short communications. In our anniversary year, we recognise the important contributions ChemComm has made, and continues to make, in advancing the chemical sciences.

As part of our anniversary celebrations, we’ve brought together a collection featuring the latest research from some of our most loyal and dedicated authors. From those marking the beginning of their independent academic career by publishing their first article with us, to the rising stars and established leaders publishing in our yearly ‘Emerging Investigators’ and ‘Pioneering Investigators’ collections, this collection champions the contributions of our worldwide author community. We are proud many authors choose to support our journal by regularly publishing their best work with us. This collection also features papers from our ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship winners, and our Outstanding Reviewer awardees, whose invaluable feedback has shaped our published content through the years.

To accompany the collection, we’ll be publishing interviews with contributing authors where they provide further insight into their research and reflect on their journey with ChemComm.

Check out our interview with Professor Mine Ince (Tarsus University, Turkey) below!​​​

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Mine Ince studied Chemistry at the Celal Bayar University in Turkey. In 2006, she completed her master’s thesis “The synthesis of phthalocyanine derivatives for their application as photocatalyst” at Ege University Solar Energy Institute-İzmir-Turkey. Aiming to work in the field of materials science and international environment, with a strong accent on organic photovoltaics, Mine Ince enrolled in the PhD Program in Organic Chemistry at Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM) in 2008 and joined the group of Prof. Tomas Torres as a PhD student.  She received her second Master’s Degree in Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology from UAM in 2010, with the corresponding solid training in cutting-edge inter- and multidisciplinary science, merging chemistry, physics and engineering. She carried out her PhD Thesis, under Prof. Tomas Torres financed by a prestigious fellowship for doctoral students (FPI) of the Community of Madrid and a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Scholarship from the European Commission. Mine Ince obtained her PhD degree in 2012 “Subphthalocyanines, Phthalocyanines and Azulenocyanines: Yellow, red-and Near-Ir-Absorbing dyes for Molecular Photovoltaics ” with the degree certificate “cum laude”. During the development of this thesis, predoctoral stays were carried out at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland, in the group of Prof. Michael Grätzel and Prof. Md. K. Nazeeruddin. She was also involved in the preparation of covalent and/or supramolecular donor-acceptor photoactive complexes for studying processes of photoinduced electronic transfer in collaboration with Prof. Dirk. M. Guldi. In addition to this, the Mine Ince showed exceptional international mobility for performing research stays in her doctoral period, receiving on-site training in related areas in the labs of Prof. Osuka at Kyoto University (Japan), Prof. Joaquin Barbera (Spain), Prof. Alan Rowan (The Netherlands). Her PhD thesis was awarded the NanoMatMol Prize 2012 for best PhD thesis in Molecular Materials by the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry. Afterwards, she joined the group of Prof. Michael Grätzel at EPFL as a postdoctoral researcher (2013), where her efforts focused on the progress of Pc/SubPc based DSSCs. In 2014, she joined the Energy Systems Engineering Department at Mersin University as Assistant Professor. In April 2016, she got the position of Associate Professor. She is currently working as a full Prof. at Tarsus University, developing independent research and leading a small research team working mainly in the field of molecular photovoltaics. Ince’s research and publications have focused on the synthesis of new phthalocyanine/subphthalocyanine derivatives that can absorb in different regions of the solar emission spectrum, for application in organic solar cells and phthalocyanine-based donor-acceptor molecular materials.  Her research group has developed a big synthetic effort, particularly on the synthesis of a series of phthalocyanine/subphthalocyanine derivatives as donors for dye-sensitized solar cells, achieving remarkable progress in the comprehension of the relationship between the molecular structure and photovoltaic performance.  She is also dealing with the preparation of Pc/SubPc-based functional materials for biological applications and nanomedicine. Her research interests also involve the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 and H2 production by using Pc derivatives, as well as the carbon nanostructure/Pc hybrid systems as a molecular catalyst She has participated in many national and international projects as a principal researcher funded by public bodies (TUBİTAK and European Union). Her publications accumulate 2673 citations providing an h-index of 26. She has supervised 5 Master’s theses, as well as 3 Ph.D. theses, and is currently supervising 3 ongoing Ph.D. theses. In 2016, she was awarded the National UNESCO-L’Oréal Award for Women in Science. In 2018, she received the Turkish Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Outstanding Achievement Award (TUBA-GEBIP). In 2019, she was honored with the Research Encouragement Award by the Prof. Mustafa Parlar Education and Research Foundation. In 2022, Prof. Ince was awarded “The Belt and Road Scholarship” by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?

One of my favorite aspects of ChemComm is its quick response time, which ensures that research is reviewed and published efficiently. The fair evaluation process adds to its appeal, providing a balanced and rigorous review while maintaining a smooth workflow. Additionally, the journal’s concise format, with short, impactful pages, makes it highly accessible and attractive for both authors and readers. These qualities combined make ChemComm a standout platform for publishing high-quality research.

In what ways do you think ChemComm stands out among other journals in your field?

ChemComm stands out in the field for several reasons. Its fast response time is a significant advantage, allowing authors to quickly share their findings with the scientific community. The fair and thorough evaluation process ensures that the work published is of high quality, while maintaining an efficient review cycle. Additionally, ChemComm’s historically strong Impact Factor (IF) highlights its influence and the value of the research it publishes. These attributes make it a highly favorable choice for researchers looking to publish cutting-edge work in chemistry.

How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?

It’s difficult to make a broad generalization about the peer review process, as each experience can vary. However, I can confidently say that the editorial team at ChemComm is outstanding. They provide fair evaluations and respond quickly, all while being encouraging and polite in their communication. This professionalism and efficiency create a positive and supportive environment for authors throughout the submission process.

Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?

I believe that personal contact is a more effective way to engage with authors than general public mailings. Direct invitations create a stronger connection and make the engagement feel more meaningful. By continuing to foster personalized communication and offering tailored opportunities for collaboration, ChemComm can further support and inspire future generations of scientists. These personal interactions help build lasting relationships and encourage more active participation in the journal’s community.

Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?

In my recent ChemComm publication, I focused on the preparation of hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and their application in perovskite solar cells. The study highlights how these newly developed HTMs improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells, contributing to advancements in the field of solar energy conversion. This work demonstrates the potential of novel materials to enhance the performance of next-generation photovoltaic devices.

In your opinion, what are the next steps or potential areas of research that could build upon the findings in this paper?

In my opinion, the next steps for advancing perovskite solar cells should focus on improving efficiency and stability through material engineering. This includes developing low-cost, high-performance hole-transporting materials (HTMs) and electron-transporting materials (ETMs). Additionally, research could explore the use of passivating agents to heal structural defects in perovskite materials, which could significantly enhance both the efficiency and stability of the solar cells. By addressing these areas, we can pave the way for more robust and commercially viable perovskite solar technologies.

Be sure to read Prof Ince’s full article, “Asymmetric phthalocyanine-based hole-transporting materials: evaluating the role of heterocyclic units and PMMA additive” to learn more!