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 Philip Norcott (Australian National University, Australia) below!
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Philip Norcott is currently an independent research fellow at the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, Australia. An organic chemist by training, his research interests extend beyond synthesis to include developing and understanding chemical aspects of NMR hyperpolarisation using para-hydrogen, as well as an interest in fundamental physical-organic and synthetic applications of electrochemistry for sustainability.
He obtained his PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia, in 2016 and then completed postdoctoral research at the University of York, United Kingdom, and at ANU, Australia. He was awarded a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) from the Australian Research Council which allowed him to begin his independent research program in 2021. |
What is your favourite thing about ChemComm?
The combination of the accessible communication format alongside the broad range of subdisciplines that are included makes ChemComm particularly engaging, and valuable for maintaining an up-to-date perspective on all areas of chemistry, not just our own niche interests.
How would you describe the peer review process and interaction with the editorial team at ChemComm?
I’ve always found that the submission process with ChemComm has been very streamlined and efficient. My last manuscript proceeded from submission to an inital decision in one of the shortest timeframes I think I’ve ever experienced. The editorial team was responsive and the peer reviewers that were selected were highly professional and on-topic.
Are there ways in which the journal can further support and engage with future generations of scientists?
ChemComm’s option to select alternative formats for peer-review (for example double-anonymised review) can certainly be helpful in certain cases; I think also incorporating transparent peer-review strategies will be a highly beneficial addition for future authors, peer-reviewers, and readers of the journal alike, helping to maximise open and helpful scientific discourse during review.
Could you provide a brief summary of your recent ChemComm publication?
Our recent work published in ChemComm shows that aldoximes (RHC=N-OH) are effective ligands for a catalytic process known as SABRE (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange), which is an NMR hyperpolarisation technique that greatly enhances signal intensities. Hyperpolarisation generates molecules with non-equilibrium nuclear spin, and has been used elsewhere to produce MRI contrast agents or highly sensitive markers for metabolic monitoring. What is particularly compelling about our latest findings is that the OH group of the oxime can directly transfer hyperpolarised signal to other molecules through proton exchange. As a result of this work we are excited to now be investigating further unexplored chemical structures and reactivity in this field, aiming to develop new and innovative chemical tools for NMR hyperpolarisation which, in-turn, will advance capability in molecular imaging and detection.
Be sure to read Philip’s article, “Aldoximes enable proton-relayed NMR hyperpolarisation” to learn more!
