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!
