The News Magazine of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
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Cover: The IUPAC Science Board together with Chairs of the IUPAC Project Committee, Evaluation Committee, and the International Younger Chemists Network met at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London on 16-17 January 2025, to “reimagining the scientific horizons of IUPAC”: (front row, from left) Peter Schreiner, Tien Thuy Quach, Ehud Keinan, Mary Garson, Zoltan Mester, Lidia Armelao, Ale Palermo, (second row) Fabienne Meyers, Christine Luscombe, Pierre Braunstein, Frances Separovic, (back raw) Igor Lacik, Eva Akesson, Derek Craston, and Russell Boyd. See the Vice President Column, page 2. (see also rsc.org/news-events/articles/2025/01-january/iupac-sb-bh (20 Jan 2025))
Valence type quantities
Re atom in ReCl3
Repeat unit of the crystal
Bonding electron pairs at Re 9 Current IUPAC definition…………….….9
Role in Malaysia Sustainable Development
Bonding pairs sharing electrons…..…7
Oxidation state……………………7 − 4 = 3
by Hooi Ling Lee, Chern Wern Hong, Rozana Othman, Vannajan Sanghiran Lee, Mohd Sukor Su’ait, Lai Ti Gew Reusing Chemical Data Across Disciplines: Initiatives and
Oxidation-state absolute value……...3
Electrons Re uses in bonds……….…...7
Bonded nearest neighbors……….…….7
Common Challenges by Fatima Mustafa, Iseult Lynch, Jan Theunis, Anjana Elapavalore, Hiba Mohammed Taha, Jeremy Frey, Felix Bach, Christian Bonatto Minella, and Leah McEwen
Formal charge………………..…7 − 9 = −2
Bond-valence sum at Re 9
reflectivity principle for normative work—the case of
valence as a quantity by Pavel Karen
by Mary Garson
The Executive Board and the Science Board of IUPAC commenced their governance responsibilities at the beginning of the 2024 biennium. As Vice-President, I was given the honour of being the inaugural Chair of the Science Board, and in this column I will update the IUPAC membership on the work of the Board during its first year of operation, and explain some of our future workplans.
In line with its terms of reference, the Science Board began its work by considering the scientific structure of IUPAC, currently comprising 8 scientific Divisions and 5 thematic (i.e. operational) Standing Committees intended to address scientific topics across the breadth of chemistry. Additionally, there are 7 other advisory Standing Committees that are mostly of an administrative nature. The organisational structure of IUPAC is further complicated by a plethora of Sub-Committees, evidence of at least 30 such groupings appear within the IUPAC webpages!
The scientific structure of IUPAC was last considered in detail more than 20 years ago at the time of
establishment of the project system, thus the current Science Board asked itself the question “Is this complex scientific structure still fit-for purpose?” While the current Divisional structure with its emphasis on the traditional sub-disciplines of physical, inorganic, organic, analytical and polymer chemistry may reflect the way in which academic chemistry is taught, it is no longer representative of modern chemistry research. And overall, the current structure is bewildering to those outside the IUPAC family and to key stakeholders in industry, NGOs, government and likely also to the thought leaders in our National Adhering Organisations (NAOs).
During 2024, we set out to reconsider IUPAC’s scientific priorities and agree on tangible outcomes that should be defined by these priorities, all of this in parallel with considering wide-ranging organisational change and restructure options. Our bimonthly discussions were intended to generate suggestions for commentary from the wider IUPAC community but were often constrained by the virtual nature of global meetings and the inconvenient timelines for some members. At key moments there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings, and so members were appreciative when the Royal Society of Chemistry kindly offered to host an in-person meeting of the Board at Burlington House in London between 16-17 January 2025. The IUPAC Executive Board subsequently endorsed a Finance Committee recommendation to support the meeting financially. Several delegates supported their attendance at the meeting through external funding mechanisms and so did not require IUPAC financial support, while three delegates joined remotely.
The IUPAC Science Board together with Chairs of the IUPAC Project Committee, Evaluation Committee, and the International Younger Chemists Network meet at Burlington House, London on January 16-17. (front row, sitting from left) Fabienne Meyers, Mary Garson, Ehud Keinan, Zoltan Mester, Frances Separovic, (second raw, standing) Peter Schreiner, Derek Craston, Ale Palermo, Eva Akesson, Christine Luscombe, Russell Boyd, Pierre Braunstein, Tien Thuy Quach, Igor Lacik, and Lidia Armelao.
In preparation for this in-person meeting, Board members identified a number of key topics to explore, including:
• The strategic direction for IUPAC’s future scientific activities and areas of growth.
• Potential restructuring of the project submission process to support divisional initiatives better.
• Defining IUPAC’s role in industry engagement to enhance real-world impact.
• Brainstorming idea: would would happen if IUPAC were created now: what would be the focus, who would we be? What would happen if IUPAC ceased to exist?
During December 2024, a “Whiteboard” survey of the Science Board membership was undertaken, asking questions about the current traditional outputs, digital outputs, external outreach and scientific operations of IUPAC and thereby seeking answers as to which areas of chemistry activity should be addressed by IUPAC in future. The responses received from Science Board members were shared in the first session of the London meeting. There was unanimous support for digital aspects of IUPAC work, but noting that “digital” and “traditional” aspects of IUPAC work are strongly linked. Also strongly supported was the need for involvement in new areas of science, although existing areas should not be neglected. IUPAC needs to cooperate closely with all stakeholders, and to engage better with cognate disciplines and the external world. Science Board members diverged in their views regarding the role of IUPAC in global scientific issues with some suggesting that IUPAC currently has insufficient bandwidth to contribute. Outreach activities were generally thought to have a lower share of the budget than “traditional” / “digital” outputs; indeed, resourcing issues were generally of concern with the need expressed to adopt a stronger commercial mindset in future outputs.
There was general agreement that the project system needed to be refreshed, while there was no support for a tiered TM/AM/NR membership model. An option that could be considered is that IUPAC bodies have elected Leadership Teams consisting of president, vice president, past president, secretary and project coordinator together with elected NRs. Individual arrangements could be made for the small number of long-standing IUPAC volunteers whose country of origin is not an NAO.
The meeting then further explored the balance between traditional and digital outputs, and between scientific and engagement activities, with the aim of providing guidance to the IUPAC community at large,
IUPAC enables global scientific cooperation and collaboration by :
a. Creating a common language to the academic community and industry, including data standards, nomenclature, terminology and symbols, in particular in the digital age;
b. Providing curated data and fundamental or physical constants to the academic community and industry;
c. Defining and providing technical standards in chemistry and related disciplines;
d. Facilitating the exchange of best practice in chemistry and in chemistry education;
e. Supporting initiatives in data standards and data management, including educational activities;
f. Fostering scientific outreach and engagement initiatives, notably those that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
g. Liaising with key industry, science unions, and governmental and non-governmental partners, to ensure/deliver IUPACs scientific contribution to a more sustainable future.
and to the Executive Board about funding allocations for the next biennium. A set of updated scientific priorities are shown in the accompanying text box. Next exploring the project system and how to get value and beneficial outcomes from it, the Board agreed that there needed to be more accountability by insisting on regular project updates, and recommended follow-on action to cull under-achieving projects. Projects deemed to be relevant to few IUPAC members or with a scientific goal insufficiently reaching across IUPAC bodies should be discouraged. Ultimately the impact of completed projects needs to be better measured, although the Board did not address how this might be achieved. A small working party of Science Board members will further develop these ideas during 2025.
The need to incorporate International Younger Chemists Network members within the scientific work of IUPAC was widely acknowledged, as well as other volunteers and key stakeholders to ensure there is a sustainable access to a skill base aligned with IUPAC targets. The current chair of IYCN, Tien Thuy Quach, attended the London meeting.
In the final session of the London retreat, there was discussion on how best to develop options for refreshing the organisational structure of IUPAC. A working group led by Derek Craston (President, Division V), together with Igor Lacik (President, Division IV) and
continued on page 21
by Hooi Ling Lee, Chern Wern Hong, Rozana Othman, Vannajan Sanghiran Lee, Mohd Sukor Su’ait, Lai Ti Gew
Chemistry’s role in Malaysia’s progress achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is reviewed in a special topic article recently published in Pure and Applied Chemistry [1]. Readers interested in exploring this topic further, should check out [1] and the references provided therein for more comprehensive details.
Malaysia has started a historic pursuit to mainstream the UN’s 17 SDGs and thereby incorporate them into Malaysia’s national developmental framework [2, 3]. These initiatives are emphasized by a participatory governance system overseen by the National SDG Council. It is led by the Prime Minister with the support of governmental stakeholders, civil society organizations, and private sector institutions as depicted in Figure 1 [3]. Thus, it is essential to make this approach inclusive to facilitate cooperation and gain a more thorough understanding of how all the goals are interconnected.
DOSM act as a Focal Point in the development of indicators and members for each Commitee
Working Committee
Inclusive, Good Wellbeing & Economic Growth Economic Planning Unit (EPU)
SDG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 16, & 17
Each
The Malaysian government has previously conducted National SDG Symposiums and focus group discussions to engage the stakeholders and enhance their contribution towards the conservation of SDGrelated policies and programs. These dialogues have allowed various stakeholders to contribute to the actualization of the SDGs. The engagement of NGOs, and private sectors is imperative as has been taken into consideration by the mapping of the SDs with the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) to ensure that sustainable development is at the heart of Malaysia’s development plan.
Malaysia has also carried out a readiness assessment in terms of data for SDGs and has reviewed where the gaps are in terms of monitoring and reporting on the SDGs. Studying these issues is necessary to establish a solid data set to implement the goals. Resource mobilization through social enterprise, corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, and public funding within the framework of the 11MP is also an essential aspect of this work. Moving forward, Malaysia continues to support the SDGs, focusing on the decentralisation of the SDG approach by implementing the multi-stakeholder institutional framework at the state level. Such
National SDG Council (chaired by Prime Minister)
Steering Committee (chaired by the Honorable Minister at Prime Minister’s Department (Economy))
Technical Committee
(chaired by Director General of Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department)
Working Committee Sustainable Financing Ministry of Finance (MOF) SDG 1-17
Working Committee Human Capital Ministry of Education (MOE) SDG 4
Set the direction of the implementation of the SDGs, set the national agenda and ‘milestones’ and report to the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (Chief Minister Representative)
Monitor the progress of SDG implementation at the local level and report to the National SDG Council
Preparing the SDG Roadmap, monitoring the progress of SDG targets, identifying issues and reporting to the National SDG Council & SDG Steering Committeee
Working Committee Environment and Natural Resources Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) & Ministry of Energy & Natrual Resources (KETSA) SDG 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15
Working Committee Civil Society Organization (CSO) Malaysia CSO-SDG Alliance SDG 1-17 Working Committee
Working Committee Localizing SDG KPKT SDG 11
an approach is consis tent with Malaysia’s commitment and efforts towards the implementation of the SDGs and the devel opment of sustainable solutions for the rakyat.
In this effort, chem istry remains central to the task of identifying key challenges and opportunities for advancing sustainability. This article explores how chemistry can drive Malaysia’s progress towards achieving the SDGs to an environmentally conscious, societally safe, and economically sustainable future.
SDG 3 emphasizes the importance of good health and well-being for all, a vision which Malaysia has ambitiously embraced. This goal aims to ensure healthy lives across all ages and tackle challenges such as communicable diseases and the need for innovative treatments. Most initiatives that deal with improvements in the quality and enhancement of Universal Health Coverage in Malaysia are led by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Target 3.8 emphasizes Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection, access to quality health services, and access to essential medicines.
Malaysia possesses one of the most efficient healthcare systems in Southeast Asia, achieving UHC through heavy government subsidies and large investments in healthcare infrastructure. Consequently, infant and maternal mortality rates have fallen remarkably. The maternal mortality rate has decreased from 43 per 100 000 live births in 1990 to 21.1 in 2020. Neonatal mortality rates have fallen, reflecting improvements in health services, prenatal and postnatal care, and public awareness. Despite such advances, disparities persist in healthcare access, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities; targeted interventions will be required to narrow the gap. This, in turn, challenges health care financing in the task of balancing resources with quality while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Target 3.9 aims to substantially reduce the number of illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution, by demonstrating that chemistry can be a positive force to improve health. Proper management of pollutants and chemicals is essential to public health.
Further investment in research and development will help nurture new innovations in medical technology and pharmaceuticals. Chemistry is playing an important role in medical research, starting from the development of drugs up to monitoring the environment; both are important in disease prevention and control, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more resilient society.
Malaysia has been making progress in achieving both SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and chemistry is one of the key enablers. Malaysia has incorporated Education for Sustainable Development into the school curriculum since the 1990s, showing commitment towards environmental awareness and global citizenship Chemistry curriculum emphasizes green experiments, while co-curricular activities like Nature Clubs further support environmental education. The efforts have been scaled up by NGOs such as Water Watch Penang, the Global Environmental Centre, and Clean International through school partnerships for water conservation awareness and various education outreach activities.
In the realm of SDG 6, Malaysia has developed a robust water treatment infrastructure, with 344 water treatment plants employing both conventional (Figure 2, [4]) and advanced methods. Chemical processes such as coagulation, flocculation, and chlorination ensure clean water for distribution. Advanced technologies (Figure 3, [5]), including ozonation and titanium dioxide photocatalysts, effectively tackle organic pollutants and heavy metals.
Government agencies like the Department of Irrigation and Drainage and private corporations such as Intel Malaysia contribute significantly to sustainable water management through education, innovation, and conservation initiatives. Malaysia’s adoption of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) strategy and reforms under the Water Services Industry Act 2006 underscore the nation’s commitment to sustainability. Through the synergy of NGOs, government agencies, and corporations, Malaysia demonstrates how chemistry can bridge education and environmental
stewardship, ensuring a sustainable future for both its people and water resources.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Malaysia’s power consumption is projected to increase threefold by 2050 due to electrification and improved living standards. In achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, Malaysia is transitioning to renewable energy (RE) and clean energy sources. The National Energy Policy (NEP) 2022-2040 targets a 31% RE capacity mix by 2025 and 40% by 2035. Supporting frameworks like the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) launched in August 2023 focuses on six key areas, namely, RE, low-carbon mobility, hydrogen, bioenergy, carbon capture, and energy efficiency.
Solar energy leads the RE sector, with installed capacity growing from 0.1 GW to 2.6 GW since 2011 and further expansion on initiatives like Net Energy Metering and Feed-in Tariff programs have driven cost reductions and increased solar competitiveness. As of 2023, Malaysia’s installed RE capacity reached 25%, progressing towards its 31% goal. Biomass, mainly from palm oil waste, also plays a role, supported by initiatives like the National Biomass Action Plan (NBAP) 2023 – 2030 and biodiesel programs. The transport sector, responsible for 25-30% greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is undergoing reforms through the Low Carbon Mobility Action Plan (LCMB). This target is promoting public transport, expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support broader EV adoption, and developing hydrogen energy hubs to reduce GHG emissions.
Challenges persist, including RE intermittency and the need for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to stabilize the grid. Malaysia intends to adopt 500 MW of BESS to enhance energy reliability. Collaborative efforts, advanced green technologies, and improvement in regulatory are essential to drive the energy transition. Initiatives such as the Bursa Carbon Exchange will greatly contribute to sustainable development through facilitation of carbon credit transactions. Thus, innovation and partnership are the keys in the journal of Malaysia toward net zero carbon emission for economic and environmental advancement by 2050.
Chemistry underpins Malaysia’s efforts to develop resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. The chemical industry in Malaysia covers a wide range of sectors, from petrochemicals, oleochemicals, and specialty chemicals to pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and quantum computing.
The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of Malaysia’s economy, heavily relies on advancements in chemical processes. With the presence of multinational companies such as Intel, Texas Instruments, and Infineon Technologies, Malaysia has become a part of the key global supply chain for semiconductor. Innovations in chemical engineering are crucial in the development of high-purity silicon wafers, photolithographic chemicals, and advanced materials like gallium nitride and silicon carbide for next-generation chips.
Collaborations between industry and academia, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with Infineon, have driven research in developing sustainable and energy-efficient semiconductor materials. This sector contributed significantly to Malaysia’s electrical and electronics industry, which accounted for 5.8% of GDP in 2023, with export earnings projected at RM495 billion by 2025. Sustainable practices include water recycling and introduction of green solvents could be incorporated into greener semiconductor manufacturing to reduce its environmental footprint.
Another cutting-edge technology merging with chemistry is the quantum computing sector in Malaysia. Quantum chemistry, which involves simulating molecular systems using quantum computers, is revolutionizing drug design, material discovery, and solutions to environmental issues. Malaysia’s collaboration under Center of Excellence in Quantum Information Science and Technology (COE QiST), Universiti Malaya with Xanadu, a Canadian quantum computing company, underlines the commitment of the country to integrating quantum technologies into its ecosystem. The collaboration will develop algorithms in molecular modeling that will increase efficiency in the design of new materials for batteries, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s vision for a highly skilled workforce in high technology and its positioning to become the leading player in quantum innovation within Southeast Asia.
Specific projects such as Petronas’s ventures into quantum-enhanced materials discovery demonstrate how chemistry and quantum computing converge to solve some of the challenges facing energy storage and green energy solutions today. These efforts also complement the strides Malaysia is making in the oil and gas industry, which contributes RM300 billion to the GDP annually, and the palm oil industry, with exports valued at approximately RM137 billion in 2022.
Figure 3: Advanced wastewater treatment processes using ozonation and titanium dioxide photocatalysts [5].
Chemistry is leading the transformation through sustainable chemical innovations in production processes for the benefit of both industries.
The palm oil industry, a vital sector in Malaysia, also illustrates how chemistry can contribute to sustainability. Efforts include converting palm oil waste into biofuels and bioplastics, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental degradation, while also supporting SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Such innovations reduce the carbon footprint and further the circular economy, hence promote climate action due to deforestation and land-use change.
Water resource management is another critical area where chemistry is having a major impact. Advanced chemical technologies in water treatment, such as green membrane filtration and chemical adsorption processes, help improve access to clean water and sanitation, hence contributing to clean water and sanitation sustainable goals. These efforts protect marine biodiversity, aligning with SDG14 (Life Below Water) by preventing industrial pollutants from entering aquatic ecosystems.
As the urban population of Malaysia is growing, sustainable urban development is crucial to meet the needs of 78.2% of its residents residing in cities while addressing environmental, social, and economic sustainability. In the year 2020, Selangor was reported as the most populous state in Malaysia, comprising a population of 6.7 million, whereas Sabah had the highest rural population, amounting to 1.55 million. SDG 11 focuses on developing cities to meet the immediate needs of residents while promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Active participation and partnership of stakeholders is required, including national and state governments, local councils, the private sector, the public, and individuals are essential to
create a sustainable city for all.
Chemistry plays an important role in the achievement of SDG 11. Analytical chemistry and instrumentation are essential for monitoring air and water quality, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and safeguarding public health. Wastewater treatment processes rely on chemistry to remove pollutants, making treated water safe for environmental release. Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) help evaluate the environmental impact of materials and processes, promoting sustainable resource use and reducing environmental burdens.
The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry guide the development of eco-friendly materials and processes, reducing hazardous material use and waste generation. For instance, creating weather-resistant materials can help cities become more resilient to natural disasters like floods and landslides, while promoting sustainable raw material consumption and waste management. Chemistry also contributes to the development of alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and chemical recycling technologies, reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. Encouraging public transport, walking, and cycling further reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes health. Green spaces and communal areas foster mental well-being and social interactions, while sustainable urban design ensures inclusive access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Initiatives like Kuala Lumpur’s Car-Free Morning highlight the co-benefits of reducing air pollution and encouraging physical activity.
In collaboration with stakeholders, chemistry underpins innovations that drive urban sustainability, mitigating climate change impacts while fostering healthier, more resilient communities.
Malaysia’s rapid urbanization and economic growth have driven increased consumption and waste generation, posing significant environmental challenges. Malaysia has established frameworks like the National Solid Waste Management Policy and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 to promote recycling and reduce waste. Despite efforts, the recycling rate is only 31%, trailing behind regional neighbors. The government aims to achieve a 40% recycling rate by 2025. Chemistry-driven innovations can help Malaysia meet this target by improving recycling infrastructure and waste separation practices. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management remains a challenge, with food waste constituting 44.5% of MSW
in 2016. Inefficient waste management infrastructure has resulted in environmental crises, such as the “Sungai Kim Kim Chemical Waste Pollution incident” in 2019. Chemistry is crucial in advancing sustainable practices and addressing these issues in line with SDG 12.
Chemistry enables the efficient recycling of plastics, metals, and paper by breaking down materials into their fundamental components and recovering valuable chemicals from hazardous waste. Innovations like biodegradable plastics and chemical recycling technologies reduce plastic pollution and minimize landfill dependency. The knowledge of Chemistry is incorporated in developing sustainable materials like biodegradable plastics and promotes life cycle assessments to measure environmental and economic impacts. It is worth noting that biotechnology programs under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 and the Bioeconomy Transformation Program focus on research and innovation in biomaterials that may lead to sustainable industrial practices. Thus, Chemistry plays a fundamental role in achieving responsible consumption and production through research, innovation, and policy support, ensuring a balance between environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Malaysia must address climate challenges from rising temperature and extreme weather to sea-level rise through a dual approach of adaptation and mitigation. The country is investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, enhanced drainage systems, green urban projects, and resilient transport networks to reduce these risks. Besides, biodiversity conservation helps to enhance ecosystem resilience and provide services such as carbon sequestration and water purification. Community engagement furthers resilience and sustainable development.
Chemistry takes center stage in Malaysia’s climate mitigation strategy through innovation and the development of sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges. These include the development of renewable energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems, and the decomposition of greenhouse gases. CCS technology captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power plants for storage in geological reservoirs or conversion into products like methanol. Petronas, a leading Malaysian energy company, has outlined a decarbonization roadmap utilizing CCS technologies, aligned with the NETR. Additionally, innovative catalytic processes, such as using hydrated K+ ions and TiO2 photocatalysts, are
being explored to decompose nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, effectively.
The 2023 ACS Global Innovation Imperatives (ACS Gii) in Malaysia shed light on computer technology applications in chemistry for better air quality management. It focuses on building community resilience in response to climate conditions and further strengthens national goals related to climate policy.
Malaysian chemical research focuses on novel materials to tackle greenhouse gases and volatile pollutants. The country implements various strategies such as using TiO2 coatings on infrastructure to reduce N2O emissions and incorporating advanced catalysts that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable solutions. These innovations, combined with biodiversity conservation and infrastructure resilience, demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to addressing climate challenges. Malaysia endeavors through the application of chemical science along with community action towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
As a coastal nation, Malaysia is deeply tied to its marine biodiversity, yet it faces significant challenges from marine pollution, including microplastics, oil spills, pesticides, and sewage effluent. To combat these issues, Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DOE), under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC), has been monitoring marine water quality since the 1970s using chemical analyses. Backed by legislation such as the Environmental Quality Act of 1974, the DOE enforces pollution control to safeguard marine ecosystems.
As such, Chemistry is at the forefront in Malaysia’s marine conservation efforts. For example, coral reefs, vital to marine biodiversity, are severely impacted by ocean acidification caused by carbon monoxide (CO₂) emissions, which disrupt nutrient cycling and calcification processes. Recognizing this, the Department of Marine Park Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia initiated coral restoration programs in 2011 following a mass bleaching event. The emerging field of marine biotechnology further highlights chemistry’s importance. Malaysia’s diverse marine ecosystems, particularly in Sabah, offer potential for discovering marine natural products (MNPs)—bioactive compounds with unique chemical properties that hold promise for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental applications. By leveraging chemistry for pollution monitoring, coral reef restoration, and marine biotechnology, Malaysia is actively advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Through increased regulatory measures and sustainable
practices, Malaysia demonstrates its commitment to preserving marine biodiversity, reducing pollution, and ensuring a sustainable ocean environment for future generations.
SDG 15 focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems; sustainable management of all types of forests; and halting biodiversity loss. Malaysia is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries. It measures 329,613 km² and more than 60% of Sabah and Sarawak are covered by forests while in Peninsular Malaysia, over 44.7% of the land is covered with forests. The incredible richness in biodiversity comprises an estimated 15,000 species of vascular plants, 306 mammal species, and 742 bird species among many others in most other taxa.
Malaysia steers its path of conservancy through laws such as the Wildlife Act, the Forestry Act, and the National Biodiversity Policy 2015–2025. Malaysia has pledged to maintain at least 50% of its land under forest and tree cover during the Rio Summit in 1992 and has shown commitment to this pledge by maintaining 57.9 % of forest cover as of 2022. At global standing, Malaysia has become a part of various international environmental instruments in pollution, climate change, hazardous waste management, ozone layer protection, and many others. Various steps have been implemented in the local landscape including key elements of biodiversity management such as bioprospecting; nature-based tourism; and endangered species protection. Inevitably, there are challenges ahead, most of all with the heavy burden of deforestation largely attributed to agricultural activities and urban development.
The traditional chemical innovations have contributed much to improving the quality of life, however, they have largely ignored the environmental impact. Hence, a move to sustainable or green chemistry is required that emphasizes product and process design with reduced hazards but equal performance. This would require a new set of criteria for measuring performance where environmental factors are included. In line with this, by incorporating sustainable practices (as recommended by Zimmerman et al.; Figure 4) into the framework of chemical research, chemists can avoid pollution and restore ecosystems, which correspond to Malaysia’s objective under SDG 15, while aiding in the country’s commitment to the conservation of biodiversity.
Malaysia’s success in sustainable development is deeply rooted in its collaborative approach. Partnerships
have been integral to advancing semiconductors, quantum computing, and other key industries. These collaborations also drive progress across environmental sustainability, health, and energy sectors. For example, Malaysia’s participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has strengthened trade ties and technological collaborations with countries like Japan, South Korea, and China, fueling advancements in semiconductor manufacturing. This partnership has enhanced the region’s collective capability to develop sustainable technologies that support industry, innovation, and infrastructure.
In the quantum computing domain, the partnership between Universiti Malaya under Center of Excellence in Quantum Information Science and Technology (COE QiST), Xanadu, and MyQI (Malaysia Quantum Initiative) serves as a model for cross-border collaboration. This initiative focuses on creating educational programs and
practical workshops to upskill researchers and industry professionals, enabling Malaysia to develop a quantum-ready workforce. Additionally, collaborations with institutions like the Quantum Technology and Future Computing Group (QTFT.org) have further bolstered Malaysia’s capacity for quantum research, emphasizing the synergy between chemistry and computational science. These partnerships have direct implications for SDG13: Climate Action, as quantum-enhanced simulations can optimize clean energy systems and reduce industrial emissions.
Partnerships with the services sector, which accounted for 59.2% of Malaysia’s GDP in 2023, are also crucial. Collaborations with global firms in ICT and tourism sectors have spurred innovation in sustainable practices, especially in chemical applications for infrastructure development and energy efficiency. These projects contribute to building Sustainable Cities and
Communities (SDG11) through green infrastructure and low-emission building materials.
Renewable energy initiatives also benefit from international partnerships. Collaborations between local companies and global firms aim to enhance solar energy technologies, bioenergy production, and hydrogen storage, directly supporting affordable and clean energy. Petronas’s development of quantum computing applications for energy solutions, including hydrogen fuel storage, reflects Malaysia’s leadership in sustainable energy research.
Malaysia has consciously positioned itself in line with the UN SDGs by emphasizing the four areas of chemistry, education, partnership, and engagement. Due to the disparity of cultures, society, and economy in Malaysia, it is important to have local participation in combating global issues such as climate change. Community engagement in local climate change adaptation and mitigation taps into local support, knowledge, and inputs developing local ownership and solutions. However, drawbacks like the absence of awareness, constraints in education and the economy, and regulatory problems hamper the progress of green chemistry. This is because the different stakeholders fail to understand the advantages that come with green chemistry. Large initial investment is also a challenge that has been observed in the process of implementation. Furthermore, current policies and regulations do not facilitate or require green chemistry practices to be adopted on a large scale.
Several steps are required to address these issues. A strategic course is to give incentives for green chemistry, formulate regulations minimizing the exposure of hazards, and create forums for information sharing among stakeholders and the public on potential hazards. Interventions with government sectors, educational institutions and communities could enhance making the cities safe, clean, livable, resilient, and sustainable.
With these aspirations, Malaysia aims to unlock existing opportunities and overcome barriers to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the country for a green future. Grounded in chemistry and cooperation with various communities, Malaysia is committed to creating a sustainable future for everyone.
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3. Ministry of Economy Malaysia. Sustainable Development Goals; Federal Government Administrative Centre, Ministry of Economy: Malaysia, 2021.https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en/sustainabledevelopment-goals (accessed 2024-12-24).
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Hooi Ling Lee, School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia; 2Water Watch Penang, 3A-32-03, N-Park Condominium, Jalan Batu Uban, Batu Uban, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. https://orcid. org/0000-0002-9637-0617
Chern Wern Hong, Water Watch Penang, 3A-32-03, N-Park Condominium, Jalan Batu Uban, Batu Uban, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. https://orcid. org/0009-0003-8794-7343
Rozana Othman, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and 4Center for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8260-9252
Vannajan Sanghiran Lee, Department of Chemistry, Center of Excellence in Quantum Information Science and Technology (QiST), Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-7726
Mohd Sukor Su’ait, Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9257-0657
Lai Ti Gew, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6313-7889
by Fatima Mustafa, Iseult Lynch, Jan Theunis, Anjana Elapavalore, Hiba Mohammed Taha, Jeremy Frey, Felix Bach, Christian Bonatto Minella, and Leah McEwen
This work discusses reuse of chemical data across disciplines and the role of various data initiatives and projects including PARC, NORMAN-SLE, MassBank, WorldFAIR, PSDI and NFDI4Chem to facilitate increased data sharing. Improved machine-readable chemical data supports global research and interdisciplinary methodologies crucial for sustainable development and achievement of UNESCO’s Open Science priorities and the UN Sustainability Development Goals. Examples of success and ongoing approaches include integrating toxicology and chemical exposure data using ontologies, linking specialised chemical data collections with larger repositories such as PubChem, and developing IUPAC International Chemicals Identifier (InChI) extensions for nanomaterials and mixtures. National data infrastructure projects in the UK and Germany focus on digitising and standardising chemical research data management workflows, aiding scientists in data collection, storage, processing, analysis, disclosure, and reuse. These global initiatives aim to enhance chemical data interoperability to solve real-world problems, foster collaboration, and promote innovation while considering sustainable data resources beyond individual projects.
Chemistry underlies many critical worldwide issues including climate [Gür, 2022], health [Kenny and Anushree, 2021], and food availability [Jansen et al., 2020]. Linking chemical exposure to adverse health outcomes requires integrating chemical data with environmental, biological, and toxicological data. Making chemical data more FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) across disciplines enables easier integration, identification of connections (causation and correlation), and incorporation into models to address global challenges more effectively. Standard scientific criteria for describing chemicals and chemical properties are defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). IUPAC led the WorldFAIR case study in Chemistry to align these scientific standards with the FAIR principles and facilitate implementation into data systems, tools and workflows [McEwen and Bruno, 2023, Thiessen et al., 2023, Chalk et al., 2024]. The WorldFAIR initiative [WorldFAIR Project, 2024], led by CODATA and the
Research Data Alliance (RDA), is facilitating implementation of the FAIR Data Principles [Wilkinson et. al, 2016] across disciplines through a global framework for interoperability and collaboration.
This collaborative paper arose from a session held at the International Data Week 2023, in Salzburg, Austria, titled ”Beyond FAIR: Reusing Chemical Data Across-disciplines with CARE, TRUST, and Openness”, exploring the integration of chemical data across disciplines in several case studies in WorldFAIR and partner initiatives to demonstrate how FAIR chemical and chemistry data can drive innovation and address real-world problems.
Currently, multiple active projects are developing methodologies, processes and partnerships for advancing cross-disciplinary research areas that utilise chemical data. Next-generation chemical risk assessment approaches are being developed through the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks of Chemicals (PARC) [Marx-Stoelting et al. 2023]. PARC has prioritised sets of chemicals for ongoing evaluation, building on the Human BioMonitoring project (HBM4EU) and extending these based on needs identified by regulators and stakeholders. Chemical data must be linked to environmental, population, biological, and toxicological data to assess risk (risk = exposure x hazard) and manage identified risks effectively [Doe, 2023]. All PARC chemicals have unique identifiers using the IUPAC International Chemical Identifier (InChI) [Heller et al, 2013] to enable linking of metadata with datasets on their environmental occurrence, toxicity and adverse outcomes [Willighagen et al, 2013; Watford et al, 2019]. PARC will also serve as a use case for practical implementation of the extension of InChI to cover mixtures (MInChI) [Clark et al, 2019], as humans and the environment are exposed to numerous chemicals simultaneously and in parallel.
The NORMAN Network of reference laboratories, research centres and related organisations developed a Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE) [Mohammed Taha et al., 2022] to support monitoring of emerging environmental substances. The environmental analytical chemistry community uses suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to detect chemicals in samples based on suspect lists [Hollender et al., 2023]. The NORMAN- SLE provides open access to 119 suspect list collections from over 80 contributors, totalling over 120,000 unique substances. Suspect lists from collaborators, including metadata and
transformation information, are further annotated with identifiers and notations, including chemical structures, InChI, InChIKey, and IUPAC name and archived on Zenodo. This content is further mapped and integrated into the PubChem repository, hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) [Kim et al., 2023], through an automated workflow [Mohammed Taha et al., 2022].
Non-targeted environmental cheminformatics studies rely on diverse resources and tools, particularly spectral and chemical compound databases such as MassBank and PubChem, to identify unknown compounds [Elapavalore et al., 2023]. MassBank (an open mass spectral library) and PubChem both exemplify the FAIR principles for accessibility and interoperability and facilitate programmatic data reuse [Schymanski and Bolton, 2021], including integration of MassBank records into PubChem to enrich spectral data content [Elapavalore et al., 2023]. Information is extracted from MassBank, validated and adapted to the PubChem record format. Fields such Authors and Instrument are displayed, with the complete MassBank summary file forming the basis for a substance file in PubChem. Cross-links back to the original MassBank data are provided by SPLASH, an unambiguous, database-independent spectral identifier inspired by InChI [Wohlgemuth, et al., 2015].
The WorldFAIR nanomaterials case study focused on implementation of “on the fly” approaches to metadata annotation from the perspectives of the data
provider and data users to bridge the gap between data generation and management [Exner et al., 2023]. Open-source platforms KoNstanz Information MinEr (KNIME) can be used to automate FAIRification workflows, annotate datasets with identifiers such as InChI and support transparent, reproducible workflows and integrate with platforms providing computationally-ready datasets like NanoPharos [Lynch et al, 2023]. The utility of KNIME-linked nanoinformatics models is critical in evaluating model precision and reliability, and the automated mechanism for channelling modelling results back into NanoPharos augments the database with new research findings and enhances the reusability and overall value of the datasets. A critical step in integrating and identifying nanomaterials datasets is formalising an extension of the IUPAC InChI standard for nanomaterials (NInChI) that covers over composition, size, shape, crystal phase, surface ligand composition, binding modality [Lynch et al., 2020].
The chemical sciences, as a very broad discipline, presents an interesting landscape to appreciate the needs and opportunities for sharing and reusing data across domains. Every tangible material in the natural and human-created environment has a chemical nature which impacts its utility and behaviour in the environment. The persistence and distribution of chemicals
of concern in the natural environment is truly a global challenge and numerous disciplines need to work with chemical data that is interoperable across these domains. Molecular entities associated with these chemicals are fundamental to our understanding of biological and material properties and underlie the configuration of many property data models and resources. Standards and protocols are critical to enable these chemical representations and to tie them to broader contexts, including for example managing and documenting data:
• associated with complex mixtures of multiple chemical components at real-world scale and under real world conditions.
• collected on the behaviour and transformations of these chemicals under changing conditions and their impact on biological, environmental, and materials formulation pathways.
A substantial barrier to the exchange of chemical data is the lack of standardised system-to-system interoperability across data resources and analysis tools. Each resource may use different motifs and models for chemical representation and interpretation, which impacts reuse of associated data. Challenges may also arise through inconsistent syntax, lack of adherence to rule-sets, and variables querying and exporting. Confirming the identity of chemical substances is an important part of tracking provenance and reusability of chemical data. IUPAC is developing a consistent approach for chemistry resources to expose information about the chemical representations used in their system through a common application programming interface (API) protocol that would facilitate navigation across these resources. The IUPAC InChI standard chemical identifier discussed in several of the case studies highlighted in this paper is a critical component for finding and matching related chemical records, and providing the links between InChIs and records in individual data sources through a common protocol could foster data hubs and one-stop shops for cross-links [Thiessen et al., 2023].
As chemical data and chemical principles are increasingly applied to cross-disciplinary use cases, the contexts for describing and analysing chemical substances and properties becomes more diverse. Structured chemical data are necessary for enhancing clarity and interdisciplinary collaboration, however the range of practices in data management and representation lead to inconsistency, even if overall more data are shared in more open repositories. There is a common need for broadly shared practices to enable better
discovery and integration of data across resources, starting with more active collection and sharing of chemical data.
managing and curating chemical data
Despite advances in digitalisation, chemistry data often remain underutilised and many chemists still use traditional paper laboratory notebooks [Steinbeck et al., 2020 and Herres-Pawlis et al. 2020]. In the Physical Sciences, many research bodies have their own data infrastructures, which limits the sharing, integration, and reuse of data across systems. Large scale infrastructure projects are emerging to develop open source tools and services that incorporate chemical data standards and aid scientists in collecting, storing, processing, analysing, disclosing, and reusing data, including two national initiatives in Germany [Nationale Forschungsdateninfrastruktur Chemistry Consortium, NFDI4Chem] and the UK [Physical Sciences Data Infrastructure, PSDI].
The potential for fully virtual documentation and data management environments that support the entire research data cycle, including instrument integration, electronic laboratory notebooks and interlinked FAIR data repositories are being realised through implementation pilots. Work on a zinc complex for bioplastic production was successfully replicated in China using deposited data in the NFDI4Chem Chemotion repository [Hermann et al., 2020]; however, while the published paper was cited, the data itself was not, highlighting the challenge of tracking and incentivizing data reuse. In another example, current papers in biomolecular simulations lack sufficient details of how to repeat calculations. Piloting a workflow system in PSDI that captures all simulation phases and metadata detailing inputs, outputs, calculations, computers used, and key files resulted in a complex provenance map, even for simple simulations. This underlines the need for computer-readable and processable, FAIR provenance information. One potential approach is adoption of the Modelling Data (MODA) metadata reporting templates, as promoted by the WorldFAIR Nanomaterials case study via which an online tool to guide users in computing their model metadata has been developed to enhance update and reduce the risk of error; https:// www.enaloscloud.novamechanics.com/insight/moda/ [Kolokathis et al., 2024].
A common goal across these national infrastructure projects is to provide open source tools that are broadly accessible to data stewards as well as researchers supporting chemical data sharing and management. Lack
of standardised interfaces and metadata across repositories hinder seamless data integration and tracking. Standardised terminologies and ontologies can structure and harmonise chemical data, and enhance clarity and interoperability. The NFDI4Chem Terminology Service (TS) indexes terminologies most pertinent to chemistry to support data curators in selecting appropriate terms for various scientific contexts from a wide range of disparate terminologies and ontologies connected to chemistry and other domains.
Collaborative curation and management will be necessary to maximise the benefit of these community resources and sustain data resources beyond the funded lifetime of individual projects. Working with existing infrastructures and domain experts to join up systems still involves bespoke approaches to meet needs across these use cases. As more FAIR data standards are developed in chemistry and other domains, it will be important to further align with broader cross-domain practices such as described in the (WorldFAIR initiated) Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF) to integrate general FAIR principles, like discovery metadata and data structure, with domain-specific elements such as controlled vocabularies and ontologies [Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF) Working Group, 2023].
Central to the effectiveness of many cross-domain studies involving chemical analysis is the strategic utilisation of various cheminformatics tools that can operate across open-source chemical compound databases. The collective services for FAIR data curation and compilation from these and other resources enable integration of data from many sources across these platforms. Filling the gaps in chemical databases with expert knowledge from many domains maximises the potential of FAIR chemical data to transcend boundaries, facilitate revolution of fields such as environmental and health monitoring, and illuminate pathways towards a sustainable future.
Community standards to facilitate common languages for chemical data description are key to the ability to align data with the FAIR principles and successfully exchange chemical data across systems. Further standardisation and implementation of terminologies and ontologies is needed to enable virtual federation for discovery and interoperability across the chemical, material, life and other data sciences to enable reuse in combination with datasets from many domains. Fostering the development of expertise in FAIR data curation and standards development, and
provision of user-friendly tools to support implementation of these standards, will be critical for realising and sustaining the potential of linked data.
Investment in developing fit for purpose open-source tools and infrastructure through large-scale initiatives such as NFDI4Chem, PSDI and PARC can actively germinate the transition for researchers towards using FAIR, support reproducible and reusable processes, and contribute to broader implementation of the FAIR data principles globally. Emphasising data citations alongside traditional paper citations is critical to ensure proper attribution and traceability, promoting reproducibility and scientific integrity. Reliable open-source data enriched with metadata encourages reuse, fosters collaboration, accelerates research, and minimises redundant efforts. However, cross community issues are persistent and collaborative approaches are needed for implementing interoperability and reuse in practice.
The session underpinning this paper was funded via the Horizon Europe WorldFAIR (Grant Agreement No. 101058393) project in which the UoB’s participation is funded by UKRI / Innovate UK via the Horizon Europe guarantee fund (Grant No. 1831977).
JT, IL, AE and HMT acknowledge support from PARC, funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme [Grant Agreement number 101057014] in which UoB’s participation is funded by UKRI / Innovate UK via the Horizon Europe guarantee fund (Grant No. 1752317).
NFDI4Chem is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI4/1). NFDI4Chem – Chemistry Consortium in the NFDI (Project number 441958208).
PSDI acknowledges the funding support by the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) scheme through EPSRC grants EP/X032701/1, EP/X032663/1 and EP/W032252/1.
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Fatima Mustafa1, Iseult Lynch2,3, Jan Theunis4, Anjana Elapavalore5, Hiba Mohammed Taha5, Jeremy Frey6, Felix Bach7, Christian Bonatto Minella7, Leah McEwen8*
1 Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas, San Antonio, USA
2 School of Geography, Earth and Environment Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
4 VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
3 Centre for Environmental Research and Justice, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
5 Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 6 avenue du Swing, L-4367 Belvaux, Luxembourg. ORCIDs: HMT: 0000-0001-78204335; AE: 0000-0002-0295-6618.
6 Computational Systems Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Southampton, UK
7 FIZ Karlsruhe – Leibniz Institute for Information Infrastructure, Germany
8 Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, USA
by Pavel Karen
My first IUPAC meeting in 2008 was with inorganic chemists of Division II who serve the chemical community by developing standards for nomenclature, terminology, definitions, and data/quantities. How can they do it? That’s how I learned about the IUPAC reflectivity principle: Adopted standards should reflect the current use as much as possible and with high consistency. Since ~30 years ago, the current use was gradually becoming easier to evaluate, even for quantities such as valence characterized by one of those colleagues as “valence is all things to all people.” Valence in general refers to the atom’s ability to bond other atoms, yet it is also used as a quantity. How to define that quantity under the IUPAC reflectivity principle?
Survey of valence assignments on examples
The first step was an anonymized survey asking 28 chemists from four IUPAC bodies to assign valence quantities in up to 20 examples of simple compounds, molecules, or ions, some of them specifically added to fit the chemistry field. Statistic evaluation revealed the likely concepts behind those quantities and the consistency of that. The most frequent concept was the Number of bonding electron pairs at an atom, followed by Number of bonding pairs sharing electrons of both atoms, Oxidation state, Number of electrons an atom uses in bonds, Number of bonded nearest neighbors, and Absolute value of oxidation state. Can the opinion of 28 chemists be representative of the current use? It is inspirational, but the current use must be searched in the literature way back. Still, how to explain the large variation?
History of valence as a quantity
One must look at the history of the term. For the valence quantity, it is described in the introduction of IUPAC Technical Report [1]. In brief, the quantity valence appeared about 50 years after the expression oxidation grade was introduced by Berzelius in English [2] and likewise in German and Swedish. In the 1860s, isolated occurrences emerged in German journals (see ref. 1). In 1885, valence as a “combining value” of an atom appeared in Inorganic Chemistry by Frankland and Japp [3] (p. 78) among a few synonyms for that “atom-fixing power” in units of the combining value of hydrogen. The legacy of Werner’s theory of complexes is the “Hauptvalenz” and “Nebenvalenz” [4] still used as the primary and secondary valence (see the 2005 IUPAC Red Book [5] page 144), not as a quantity, but as
an adjective describing the group of bonds in a complex. About a decade after the 1897 discovery of electron by Thomson, the inorganic redox chemistry demanded valences of both positive and negative values, while organic chemistry simply counted bonds (see ref. 1). A major change came in 1938 with Latimer tables of standard redox potentials [6], where the so far rarely used term oxidation state defined the formal ionic states of the given-element atom pair to which the standard potential applies. Ten years later, Pauling, the chair of the Section II of the 1947 London IUPAC congress, saw the valence quantity in inorganic chemistry as an adjective n-valent for the oxidation number [7]. In organic chemistry, the valence quantity continued as before.
Two additional valence-type quantities appeared since: In 1970, a term “bond valence” was used [8] for the quantity “mean bond strength” suggested in 1929 by Pauling [9] for the then cation valence divided by its coordination, yielding the average bond order of that cation’s bonding interactions. The bond valence became popular after a table of bond-valence parameters for selected bonds of two elements with specified oxidation state was computed in 1985 by Brown and Altermatt [10] from quantities in the inorganic crystal structure database. It allowed easy calculation of bond valences from bond lengths in a crystal, yielding a decimal number of two-electron-bond equivalents. The second quantity appeared in 2005, when the term valence number was suggested by Parkin (see ref. 1) for the number of electrons an atom uses in bonds.
The 1994 IUPAC Recommendation Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry [11] describes the organic-chemistry valence quantity as “the maximum number of univalent atoms (originally hydrogen or chlorine atoms) that may combine with an atom of the element under consideration, or with a fragment, or for which an atom of this element can be substituted.” This somewhat unclear wording now appears also in the Gold Book. A 2022 revision of this Glossary [12] states that valence is the “maximum number of single bonds that can be commonly formed by an atom or ion of the element under consideration,” which calls for opinion instead of defining the quantity.
The six valence-quantity concepts from the mentioned survey were complemented in the study behind ref. 1 by the current Gold Book definition from ref.
Valence type quantities C atom in ethyne C2H2
Bonding electron pairs at C………….…4
Current IUPAC definition…………….….4
Bonding pairs sharing electrons…..…4
Oxidation state……………….…4 − 5 = −1
Oxidation-state absolute value….….. 1
Electrons C uses in bonds..…….……... 4
Bonded nearest neighbors……….…….2
Formal charge at C.…………... 4 − 4 = 0
Bond-order sum at C…. ……………...….4
Valence type quantities O atom in H2O2
Bonding electron pairs at O………..…. 2
Current IUPAC definition…………….….2
Bonding pairs sharing electrons…..…2
Oxidation state……………….…6 − 7 = −1
Oxidation-state absolute value….….. 1
Electrons O uses in bonds..…….……...2
Bonded nearest neighbors……….…….2
Formal charge at O.…………... 6 − 6 = 0
Bond-order sum at O…. ……………...….2
11, by the bond-valence sum at an atom, and by the auxiliary quantity of formal charge at an atom in the Lewis formula. These nine valence-related quantities were evaluated on 47 sets for 38 chemical entities, some on several alternative Lewis formulas or bonding schemes. All values were sensible numbers with specific meaning and mutual relationships stated in ref. 1. The ambiguity of the ref. 11 definition was avoided by “considering” the given atom with its open-ended bonds and the formal charge as in the Lewis formula. Table 11 in Ref. 1 illustrates that such an approach yields values identical to the plain count of two-electron bonds or their equivalents at the given bonded atom in a specific compound. In case of multiatomic ions, the ionic charge in Lewis formula should follow electronegativity. For an anion like BF4 , the addition of Lewis base F to Lewis acid BF3 is followed by reshuffling electrons to the four terminal F atoms so that they bond in an ideal approximation by ¾ to B and by ¼ to a cation as required by the 8−N rule. Likewise, yet inversely, for NH4+
Evaluation of these alternative valence quantities on a simple organic-chemistry example of C2H2 is illustrated on Figure 1. The current IUPAC definition was followed by taking the four-bonded carbon and asking how many Cl or H atoms it would bond. Oxidation state was obtained as the carbon charge after ionic approximation that divides homonuclear bonds equally. The list of results gives several values to choose from. The only question is which value corresponds to the current use and the declared context of the quantity called valence.
Figure 1 Valence-type quantities evaluated for carbon atom in ethyne.
Figure 2 Valence-type quantities evaluated for oxygen atom in hydrogen peroxide.
Inorganic example of a simple molecule is evaluated similarly for the hydrogen peroxide in Figure 2
Third example concerns rhenium in the Lewis formula of the repeat unit in the crystal of ReCl3, drawn in Figure 3 upon the so called neutral-atom counting ([13] p. 815) that yields 18-plet at each Re atom of two double bonds Re=Re. Following the 1994 IUPAC definition considers the segment of nine-bonded Re2− acceptor of two donated bonds and obtains ReCl92−, thus valence 9 seen directly by counting two-electron bonds. The oxidation state of ReCl3 is +3 also in the Figure 3 formula, after each Re keeps 4 electrons from its Re-to-Re bonds while the rest is extrapolated ionic to Cl
Surely, the Re 18-plet of integer bond orders is an approximation, but the chlorine-bridge bond lengths do yield the bond-valence (bond-order) sum at Cl well over 1. Ambiguities are avoided upon ionic extrapolation into the oxidation state as an integer dimensionless quantity characterizing this binary compound; a quantity that Werner called primary valence. One is then curious whether the high values 7 and 9 obtained from Figure 3 are actually used for Re valence in ReCl3
Likewise with other evaluated examples. What decides the best of those 9 valence definitions? The current use since ~1954, after changes following the 1947 London IUPAC Congress became accepted by the chemistry community.
Current use of valence
How to evaluate the actual recent use of valence as a quantity? The only way is to search published
Valence type quantities
Re atom in ReCl3
Repeat unit of the crystal
Bonding electron pairs at Re 9
Current IUPAC definition…………….….9
Bonding pairs sharing electrons…..…7
Oxidation state……………………7 − 4 = 3
Oxidation-state absolute value……...3
Electrons Re uses in bonds……….…...7
Bonded nearest neighbors……….…….7
Formal charge………………..…7 − 9 = −2
Bond-valence sum at Re 9
peer-reviewed texts. Since the etymology of the word valence in chemistry is the ability of an atom to bond, valence enters many terms. Some do not describe any quantity (valence-bond theory), some have quantitative context yet no numerical value (hypervalent, hypovalent, polyvalent, isovalent, aliovalent, heterovalent, sub-valent, semi-valent, expandable valence, saturated valence, intervalence, high or low covalence, primary and secondary valence), some are countable (valence orbital, valence electron), and some are composed terms of a numerical value (mixed valence, bond valence, electrovalence, magnetic valence).
The Technical Report [1] lists a brief description of these terms that are not relevant in the search for the valence-quantity use.
Search [1] for all valence-related terms in 33 textbooks of general, organic, inorganic, physical, and materials chemistry revealed occurrences of the valence quantity. The highest count was 12 times in an organic-chemistry textbook where the oxidation-state quantity appeared four times in contrast to several hundred times in some inorganic chemistry textbooks.
Searches are key to establish the relevant recent use of a term. In case of a dimensionless quantity characterizing a bonded atom in a compound or ion, the search must focus on that given element or chemical entity and the specific alternative valences. As an example, for the valence quantity of C in C2H2, one searches Google Scholar, choice Articles (in a chosen custom range of years and sorted by relevance) for:
“divalent carbon” in C2H2, “divalent carbon” in ethyne, “bivalent carbon” C2H2, “tetravalent carbon” in C2H2, “quadrivalent carbon” in C2H2, acetylene “divalent carbon.” The quotations indicate expressions not to be separated. Searches are best done at several global locations that somewhat differ due to the perceived relevance.
If the Hg valence in Hg2Cl2 is searched as divalent mercury (and then as bivalent mercury), it gives tens of thousands of hits. Quotation marks improve the focus substantially, so the subsequent search is for “monovalent mercury” and for “univalent mercury”. Search for divalent Hg2Cl2 and for bivalent Hg2Cl2 is well focused by the compound formula.
The Google-Scholar search is only the first step. It also contains books, dissertations, and citations. The possibly relevant articles must be selected “manually” and downloaded as pdf files to be searched by clicking for “valen” to see all contexts and then select only the searched quantities for the given atom in the given compound. This search is very useful to see the use as well as the related terminology from additional similar examples.
The search behind the Figure 3 valence example was performed to answer whether chemists consider Re in ReCl3 trivalent, heptavalent or nonavalent. Articles were selected from Google-Scholar search results for several formulations:
• trivalent “rhenium trichloride” (first 10 articles of in total 36 search hits)
• trivalent rhenium ReCl3 (first 14 articles of 249 search hits)
• heptavalent rhenium ReCl3 (first 4 articles of 39 search hits)
• “heptavalent rhenium” ReCl3 (3 articles of 3 search hits)
• “hepta-valent” ReCl3 (0 search hits)
• “nonavalent rhenium” (0 search hits)
• nona-valent ReCl3 (0 search hits)
In total 31 articles of highest search relevance were then searched manually for “valen” to select the desired context. 21 were of irrelevant context (prior 1954, unrelated, concerned complexes of ReVII). Of the 10 truly relevant articles:
• 7 consider rhenium trivalent in ReCl3 or Re3X9 (1 implied),
• 2 consider Re trivalent in an octahedral complex with 3 Cl and 3 electron-pair-donor neutral ligands,
• 1 uses valence as a synonym for oxidation state (even with negative values),
• 0 considers rhenium heptavalent in ReCl3 or Re3X9,
• 0 considers rhenium nonavalent in ReCl3 or Re3X9
Telling examples for search of current use From the tested compounds and formulas, 15 telling examples were selected in ref. 1 to search the preferred valence-quantity context in the current use of this term. Nine of these examples were formulated as a comparison of a contrasting pair, such as HgCl2 versus Hg2Cl2 (Table 11 in ref. 1). Some results are straightforward:
• 22 papers consider Hg in Hg2Cl2 monovalent, 0 divalent.
• 04 papers consider Cr in Cr2(CH3COO)4 divalent, 0 hexavalent.
• 07 papers consider Re in ReCl3 trivalent, 0 heptavalent or nonavalent.
• 08 papers consider Mo in MoCl2 divalent, 0 hexavalent or nonavalent.
• 12 papers consider Ni in Ni(CO)4 zerovalent, 0 tetravalent.
• 06 papers consider Mn in Mn2(CO)10 zerovalent, 1 monovalent, 0 hexavalent.
• 09 papers consider Os in Os3(CO)12 zerovalent, 0 divalent, 0 hexavalent.
Whereas
• 04 papers (all organic) state that C2H2 has tetravalent C, 0 divalent.
Some chemistry fields are less straightforward:
• 02 papers consider N in N2 zerovalent, 1 trivalent.
• 04 papers consider P in P4 zerovalent, 1 trivalent.
• 14 papers (11 organic, 3 inorganic) consider S in S2X2 halogenide divalent, 1 inorganic article as monovalent.
• 05 papers consider N in NH4+ tetravalent.
• 16 papers (14 organic, 2 inorganic) consider O in H3O+ trivalent, 0 as divalent (absolute value of oxidation state), none as tetravalent (oxygen electrons in bonds).
This suggests that inorganic chemists working with metals do not follow the organic-chemistry counting of two-electron bonds or the 1994 IUPAC Recommendations [11]. They follow the Pauling’s advice [7] and use the adjective n-valent for the Werner’s primary valence [4] that corresponds to the oxidation state of the metal. The Werner’s secondary valence in his 1909 book [4] (and in the Red Book [5] p. 144) refers to the number of donated bonds; only his 1893 paper [14] presented the secondary valence as the total number of coordinated bonds. Organic chemists follow the 1994 IUPAC definition [11]. Inorganic chemists working with main-group elements of the periodic system sit on the fence.
The survey about valence quantity among chemists brought the idea of investigating all sensible dimensionless quantities as candidates for valence. The current use was subsequently searched in peer-reviewed articles where it is well considered and verified as opposed to quick guesses in a survey. Evaluating the recent use is even more important for the valence quantity that is used rarely, relatively to similar dimensionless counts like oxidation state or bond order. The definition of the quantity needs to respect the current use as far it is possible or reasonable.
Organic chemists count electron pairs at the atom or use the ref. 11 IUPAC definition applied to that isolated atom with bonds and formal charge. Inorganic chemists working with metals use the adjective n-valent for the metal oxidation state. Chemists working with nonmetallic elements use one or the other alternative, yet rarely.
The IUPAC reflectivity principle was the basis of the ref. 1 investigation whether and how could valence quantity be defined. Reflecting the current/recent use is not something that applies merely to IUPAC normative papers. It is what we can do when wondering which chemical synonym is best in a text, for instance “acid dissociation” versus “acid ionization.” Google-Scholar gives their occurrences in chemistry papers. We do not make “inventions” by associating a traditional term
with conceptually different quantities of simple verbal description. We should not disrespect the current use by using “covalence” for “valence” or by avoiding adjective “n-valent” for a metal oxidation state. Chemists depend on a whole era of chemistry literature that needs to be understood correctly. Explanatory clarity first.
References
1. Karen P, Armelao L, Butler IS, Tomišić V, Yamashita M. Pure Appl Chem 2025;97:149-187. https://doi. org/10.1515/pac-2023-0402 (and references therein)
2. Berzelius J. Experiments on the Nature of Azote, of Hydrogen, and of Ammonia, and upon the Degrees of Oxidation of which Azote is Susceptible. Ann Philos 1813;II:276–284.
3. Frankland E, Japp FR. Inorganic Chemistry, Lea Brothers & Co.: Philadelphia, 1885.
4. Werner A. Neuere Anschauungen auf dem Gebiete der anorganischen Chemie, 2nd ed.; Friedrich Vieweg und Sohn: Braunschweig, 1909.
5. Connelly NG, Damhus T, Hartshorn RM, Hutton AT. https://iupac.org/what-we-do/books/redbook/.
6. Latimer WM. The oxidation states of the elements and
their potentials in aqueous solutions, Prentice Hall, Inc.: New York, NY, 1938.
7. Pauling L. J Chem Soc 1948:1461–1467. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/JR9480001461
8. Donnay G, Allman R. Amer Min 1970;55:1003–1015. https://msaweb.org/AmMin/AM55/AM55_1003.pdf
9. Pauling L. J Am Chem Soc 1929;51:1010–1026 (1929) https://doi.org/10.1021/ja01379a006
10. Brown ID, Altermatt D. Acta Crystallogr Ser B 1985;41:244–247. https://doi.org/10.1107/S0108768185002063
11. Muller P. Pure Appl Chem 1994;66:1077–1184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077
12. Perrin CL et al. Pure Appl Chem 2022;94:353–534. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010
13. Housecroft CE, Sharpe A. Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd edition, Pearson-Prentice Hall (2008).
14. Werner A. Z Anorg Allgem Chem 1893;3:267–330. https://doi.org/10.1002/zaac.18930030136
Pavel Karen <pavel.karen@kjemi.uio.no> is professor at the University of Oslo, Department of Chemistry, in Oslo, Norway. and a current member of the Inorganic Chemistry Division; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2937-6477.
Vice President’s Column (cont. from page 3)
Mary Garson later developed a discussion paper which was circulated in February for comments from Science Board, Executive Board and a small number of experienced volunteers with considerable knowledge of IUPAC. Based on the initial feedback received, a second discussion paper is currently circulating for comment within the IUPAC community. In early April, an online meeting of Division Presidents and Standing Committee chairs will further consider the restructure options presented in the discussion paper(s), leading to informative input for a Science Board meeting scheduled in May. After this, an updated position paper will be circulated to NAOs in the Kuala Lumpur agenda papers to prepare General Assembly delegates for a Town Hall meeting on Sunday July 13. This will inform both formal and informal discussions held later that week at the IUPAC Council. Afterwards, during the second half of 2025 and taking careful account of all the feedback received, additional (virtual) Town Hall sessions should be held to ensure that every IUPAC volunteer is well informed of the options for organizational change and has the opportunity to comment.
Ultimately, a Special Council meeting should be convened no later than early 2026 to vote on proposal(s) for a new organizational structure based around scientific activity. The timing of the Special Council meeting should allow for modified election processes
for the 2028 biennium if structural change is agreed. It is important for everyone reading this Chemistry International report to understand that no decisions on the future scientific shape of IUPAC have yet been made, and that core activities continue. There is no intention in any restructure outcome to interfere with well-established and dynamic IUPAC activities that are generating strong scientific outputs.
IUPAC acknowledges the generous support of the Royal Society of Chemistry for their hosting of the meeting and for their generous hospitality. The in-person meeting provided an excellent opportunity to interact with RSC staff and to meet their leadership team at an evening reception. During the in-person meeting, Science Board members developed an excellent sense of teamwork through breakout sessions. A light-hearted team-building competition was designed around building a standalone tower from a single A4 piece of paper. To find out more, take a look at https://sciencing.com/ make-out-one-piece-paper-6284616.html
Exploring change always generates uncertainty and misinformation. If you have questions or feedback, and want more detail on the individual discussion papers and their content, please contact me at mgarson@ iupac.org. My e-office door is always open to our wonderful IUPAC volunteers.
20 MAY 2025
Yu-Ju Chen Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, China/Taipei
News and information on IUPAC, its fellows, and member organizations. See also www.iupac.org/news
Stefanie Dehnen, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Hemda Garelick, Middlesex University, UK
Claude Heuzey, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada
Young-Shin Jun, Washington University, USA
Awardees of the IUPAC 2025
Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, IUPAC is pleased to announce the recipients of the IUPAC 2025 Awards for Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering:
• Yu-Ju Chen, Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, China/Taipei
• Stefanie Dehnen, Karlsruhe Institute of
Zhang Lin, Central South University, Yuelu District, Hunan, China/Beijing
Zhimin Liu, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China/Beijing
Jane Ngila, African Foundation for Women & Youth in Education, Kenya
Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Vivian Wing-Wah Yam, The University of Hong Kong, China
Xuehua Zhang, University of Alberta, Canada
Technology, Germany
• Hemda Garelick, Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
• Marie-Claude Heuzey, Polytechnique Montréal, Canada
• Young-Shin Jun, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
• Tanja Junkers, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
• Zhang Lin, Central South University, Yuelu District, Hunan, China/Beijing
• Zhimin Liu, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China/Beijing
• Jane Catherine Ngila, The African Foundation for Women and Youth in Education, Science, Technology & Innovation, Nairobi, Kenya
• Ah-Hyung Alissa Park, UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
• Vivian W.W. Yam, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
• Xuehua Zhang, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The awards program, initiated as part of the 2011 International Year of Chemistry, was created to acknowledge and promote the work of women chemists and chemical engineers worldwide. Each year since 2011, the award has gained increasing attention in the global community. The twelve awardees for 2025 have been selected based on excellence in basic or applied research, distinguished accomplishments in teaching or education, or demonstrated leadership or managerial excellence in the chemical sciences, with a particular focus on leadership and community service. The awards presentation will be held during the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in July 2025.
Mark Cesa, 2014-2015 President of IUPAC and Chair of the IUPAC Committee for Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, says, “IUPAC is delighted to recognize the 2025 class of recipients of the IUPAC Awards for Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. This class of awardees, selected from a highly accomplished set of women chemists and chemical engineers from around the world, is distinguished by not only the extraordinarily high quality of their research but also by their commitment to leadership as educators, editors and public servants. IUPAC acknowledges the impressive contributions of all of the nominees and congratulates the recipients of this year’s Awards. Their careers are inspiring to everyone, and we look forward eagerly to their continued success.”
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a global day celebrating achievement and promoting full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. The day marks a call to action for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The year 2025 is also the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. IUPAC is celebrating both of these global initiatives with a Global Women’s Breakfast networking event (www.iupac.org/ gwb/), to be held on February 11, 2025 on the theme of “Accelerating Equity in Science.”
https://iupac.org/awardees-of-the-iupac-2025-distinguished-women-inchemistry-or-chemical-engineering/
Paolo Franzosini Prize and Christo Balarew Award 2024
In 2024, the Franzosini Prize was presented to Cezary Gumiński and to Christian Ekberg, and the very first Balarew Award was presented to Märt Lõkov
Franzosini Prize
In the year of 2024 two Franzosini Prizes were given to
• Cezary Gumiński from the University of Warsaw, Poland, and to
• Christian Ekberg from the University of Göteborg in Sweden
The winners of the Franzosini Prize were announced during the International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena and Related Equilibrium Processes (ISSP21) and each gave an oral presentation. Cezary Gumiński spoke about “My adventures with the solubility data,” while Christian Ekberg spoke about “Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of chemical modelling and experiments.”
Cezary Gumiński is a Polish chemist who studied and completed his entire academic career at the University of Warsaw, Department of Chemistry. The first time he attended a meeting of the Solubility Data Commission (IUPAC Commission V. 8) was during the IUPAC General Assembly held in Lyngby, Denmark, in 1983, where he was Observer Member. He has been an active member of IUPAC since 1984, with an extraordinary contribution, having edited and/or contributed to nine volumes of the Solubility Data Series, and a tenth one is being prepared now. In recent years, he has also been involved in the critical evaluation of homogeneous systems equilibrium data. The critical evaluation of solubility data covered a wide range of systems of technological and scientific interest, such as metals in mercury and liquid alkali metals, or rare earth metal salts in water and aqueous solutions. In the last ten years, he is also participating in the critical evaluation of stability constant data for metal-ion/tetraoxidosulfate complexes in homogeneous solutions. As part of this project, led by Glenn Hefter, a Technical Report was submitted in 2024 for publication in Pure and Applied Chemistry, with a critical analysis of more than 400 data solely on the ionization constants of sulfuric acid.
He also published six chapters in books and more than one hundred papers in international referred journals on some of his scientific interests as diffusional aspects of electroanalytical techniques, equilibria and kinetics of formation of cryptate complexes in mixed solvents, physical chemistry (phase diagrams, solubility, diffusion) of binary and ternary systems in liquid metals (especially in mercury and the alkali metals).
Christian Ekberg is a Swedish Chemist who studied and made his academic career at Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Göteborg, with a Postdoc at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Lucas Heights, Australia. He has collaborated on IUPAC projects mainly in the Chemistry and Environment Division. Throughout his career he has studied and published several works in the area of solubility and related chemical equilibria, fundamentally in geological systems related to the chemistry of the actinoids. In later years he also specialised in industrial materials recycling, with several publications in this area. As a complement to his work on critical analysis of solubility data and other properties of materials, he has developed computer programs for uncertainty analysis, such as SENVAR: a code for handling chemical uncertainties in solubility calculations (1995), MINVAR and UNCCON, computer programs for uncertainty analysis of solubility calculations in geological systems (2000) or the effect of uncertainties in stability constants on speciation diagrams (2003). Together with Paul L. Brown he is the editor of the two volume publications on Hydrolysis of metal ions (2016). He is an elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the Royal Society for Arts and Sciences.
Christo Balarew Award
In 2024, the first year of the Christo Balarew Award for Outstanding Young Scientists was given to Märt
Lõkov from the University of Tartu, Estonia. The Award was announced during the International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena and Related Equilibrium Processes (ISSP21), and where Märt gave an oral presentation titled “Relative pKa measurements in nonaqueous solvents.”
Märt Lõkov is an Estonian chemist, who studied and has worked at the University of Tartu, Institute of Chemistry, Estonia, in the group and under the guidance of Ivo Leito. His main field of research is the investigation of the acid–base properties of different types of compounds in non-aqueous solvents like acetonitrile, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran or 1,2-difluorobenzene. He is responsible for expanding and complementing the acidity and basicity scales in acetonitrile and also building similar acidity and basicity scales in other solvents. He is now engaged in a
large-scale re-evaluation and revision of pKa values of carboxylic acids in three non-aqueous solvents acetonitrile, (methanesulfinyl)methane (dmso – dimethyl sulfoxide), N,N– dimethylmethanamide (dmf – N,N– dimethylformamide).
The Christo Balarew Award was established in 2023 by Christo Balarew, Bulgarian professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, Bulgaria and enthusiastic supporter of the Solubility Data Project and deeply involved in IUPAC activities. This award is administered by the Subcommittee on Solubility and Equilibrium Data of IUPAC, and will be given on an annual basis to recognize a promising young scientist working in solubility and/or chemical equilibria.
https://iupac.org/paolo-franzosini-prize-and-christo-balarewaward-2024/
Graham Cooks and Anna Regoutz win the 2025 Awards in Analytical Chemistry
Each biennium the Analytical Chemistry Division presents two awards for outstanding contributions to the field of analytical chemistry. The IUPAC Analytical Chemistry Medal recognizes lifetime achievement in any field of analytical chemistry evidenced by sustained and outstanding research contributions, by active involvement in international partnerships and by commitment to the training of the next generation of analytical chemists. The IUPAC Emerging Innovator Award in Analytical Chemistry recognizes outstanding research achievements by an early career stage scientist in the field of analytical chemistry. Both awards will be presented during the IUPAC General Assembly in July 2025.
Graham Cooks, Henry B. Hass Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University, USA has been named the IUPAC
Analytical Chemistry Medalist for 2025. The award is given recognition of his lifetime research achievements in the field of mass spectrometry including fundamental phenomena, instrumentation and analytical applications, and his mentoring of 156 PhD graduate students in addition to approximately 200 Postdoctoral Fellows and long-term scientific visitors.
Anna Regoutz, Associate Professor of Experimental Inorganic Chemistry, University of Oxford, UK is the recipient of the IUPAC Emerging Innovator Award in Analytical Chemistry for 2025. The award is given for her leadership of an interdisciplinary team of researchers exploring the structure-electronic structure relationship in inorganic solids with a goal of integrating such materials into opto-electronic devices. Former awardees include: 2023, Janusz Pawliszyn and Xin Yan 2021, and Joseph Wang and Tsuyoshi Minami
https://iupac.org/the-2025-awards-in-analytical-chemistry/
The King’s University is pleased to announce that chemistry professor Peter Mahaffy is the 2025 recipient of the George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education. The award, granted by the American Chemical Society (ACS), recognizes two key areas of Mahaffy’s teaching and research: understanding and relating to chemistry as a human activity and reimagining the teaching and learning of chemistry by using “systems thinking” tools.
“Chemistry is often taught as a set of isolated, disconnected facts,” says Mahaffy. “But facts alone don’t tell students why chemistry matters. Systems thinking looks at the world as an interconnected system—it allows students to see how chemical reactions and Graham Cooks
processes relate to important things in their lives, and how chemistry can be used responsibly to make a difference in global sustainability challenges.”
Mahaffy’s innovative work as the director of King’s Centre for Visualization in Science (KCVS) is at the forefront of systems thinking. In collaboration with a team of undergraduate student researchers and a network of international and Edmonton-based experts, KCVS has developed an extensive range of digital resources that teach students to consider how chemical systems connect the world. Educators and students can access these interactive models, visualizations, and curriculum materials for free at kcvs.ca.
One interactive model created by Mahaffy and his team is called “Design Our Climate.” It allows users to manipulate humanity’s global energy, greenhouse gas, and land use to discover what changes make it possible to achieve the UN›s 2050 net zero goal. The model also teaches students what chemical processes occur when they make everyday decisions like switching on a light or driving to work. Ultimately, the model shows that hitting net zero isn’t easy, but it is possible, especially when chemists work together to find creative alternatives to replace unsustainable resources.
“We must reimagine the teaching of chemistry,” says Mahaffy. “Doing so will ensure that our students understand how to be sustainability leaders in the face of global climate change.”
https://www.kingsu.ca/about-us/news/post/dr-peter-mahaffy-toreceive-2025-pimentel-award-for-outstanding-contributions-tochemistry-education
Zafra Lerman to Receive Cardozo’s 24th Annual International Advocate for Peace Award
Scientist, educator and humanitarian Zafra M. Lerman received Cardozo School of Law’s 24th International Advocate for Peace Award. The award, which originated in 2000, is presented annually by the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution to a person, organization, or group that is exemplary in the field of conflict resolution.
As president of the Malta Conferences Foundation, Lerman promotes peace by bringing together scientists from 15 otherwise hostile countries in the Middle East to discuss issues and foster international scientific and technical collaboration. The five-day conferences cover
a variety of topics, including science education and air and water quality and alternative energy sources.
Lerman, chair of the American Chemical Society’s Subcommittee on Scientific Freedom and Human Rights from 1986 to 2011, has worked on numerous human-rights cases worldwide, including in the former Soviet Union, Russia, China, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, South Africa and Iran. In IUPAC, and for the last 10 years she has been a member of CHEMRAWN.
Lerman has published numerous works on science diplomacy. Her most recent book, a genre-busting first-person narrative titled Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, was published in 2024. In it, Lerman recounts her life, from growing up in Israel to her time in the Soviet Union, Peru, China and Cuba, where she fought for peace and for dissidents being denied basic human rights. She conceived, coordinated and launched the Malta Conferences—the biennial, international meetings of scientists, Noble Laureates and political leaders from the Middle East that use science diplomacy as a bridge to peace.
Previous recipients of Cardozo’s International Advocate for Peace Award include President Bill Clinton for his role in the Oslo Peace Accords; President Jimmy Carter for negotiating the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel; Sir Paul McCartney for the impact of his music on the world; Archbishop Desmond Tutu for his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa; Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate for her work promoting peace in Liberia; and Gloria Steinem, writer, activist and organizer for her work advocating for women’s rights and equality around the world. A list of all past recipients can be found online https://www.cardozojcr.com/iap-award.
The Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW) invites applications for the Student Observer Grant to attend its biannual meeting in Tokyo, Japan, 1-5 September 2025. This grant is intended to support undergraduate students, graduate students, or recent PhD graduates (maximum two years post-PhD completion, or a similar stage of academic development) who have (hands-on) expertise in isotope ratio analysis and atomic weight determination or in data processing in this field.
See full details including Eligibility criteria, Grant coverage, Application process @ciaaw.org/student-grant.htm
Application Deadline: 15 April 2025
The selection will be based on academic merit, relevance of expertise, and especially motivation. Final decisions will be communicated after the interview stage. For further inquiries, please contact CIAAW Chair Johanna Irrgeher or Secretary Jochen Vogl
https://ciaaw.org/student-grant.htm
The US National Committee for IUPAC of the National Academy of Sciences (i.e. the US NAO) is pleased to announce the following individuals have been selected as 2025 Young Observers to attend the 53rd IUPAC general Assembly and 50th World Chemistry Congress, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12-19 July 2025:
• Maxx Arguilla, University of California Irvine
• Sean Bowen, Incyte Corporation
• Ida (Xue) Chen, Dow, Inc.
• Luis De Jesús Báez, University at Buffalo
• Liang Feng, Duke University
• Reza Foudazi, The University of Oklahoma
• Melody Morris, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Alexis Myers, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Hee Jeung Oh, Penn State University
• Zhe Qiang, The University of Southern Mississippi
Additionally, two individuals have been selected as 2025 U.S. delegates to the International Younger Chemists Network Assembly and will also attend the IUPAC General Assembly and World Chemistry Congress: Annabelle Lolinco, ACS/AAAS Wilson McNeil, UC Berkeley
Established by the U.S. National Committee (USNC) for IUPAC in 1977 to foster interactions with internationally acclaimed scientists in various fields, the IUPAC Young Observer Program strives to introduce the work of IUPAC to a new generation of distinguished researchers and to provide them with an opportunity to address international science policy issues. The USNC supports the participation of U.S. Observers (citizens or permanent residents) under the age of 45
from industry, academia, and national laboratories in the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress and General Assembly, held every two years. To date, the program has supported more than 230 scientists, many of whom have served on IUPAC committees, technical divisions, and projects, and continue to participate in a variety of international activities in chemistry and allied fields.
Officially launched in 2017, the International Younger Chemists Network (IYCN) as an associated organization of IUPAC, is connecting chemists in the early stages of their careers—specifically less than 35 years old, or within 5 years of completing their chemistry-related training. IYCN strives to spread knowledge, mentorship, and encourage a passion for chemistry within their members and the wider community by building a network of support across the globe. The core objective is to enable a platform for scientific and professional exchange, specifically focused on the needs of early-career chemists.
by Javier Garcia Martinez
The International Science Council (ISC) convened its 3rd General Assembly from 26-30 January 2025, in Muscat, Oman. This event was held alongside the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue fostering discussions on global science policy and collaboration. This significant gathering brought together global leaders in science, policy, and innovation to discuss critical issues shaping the future of science and its role in addressing global challenges.
The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue provided a unique forum for scientists, policymakers, and international organizations to engage in discussions on advancing science as a global public good. Sessions covered a wide array of topics, including open science, sustainability, science diplomacy, and the role of artificial intelligence in research. The event also emphasized regional perspectives, particularly those of the Middle East and North Africa, fostering greater inclusivity in global scientific discourse. For instance, discussions highlighted regional challenges in water sustainability
and climate adaptation, integrating insights from local experts and institutions.
As a key participant in both the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and the ISC General Assembly, IUPAC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the role of chemistry in global sustainability efforts. IUPAC representatives included Ehud Keinan, IUPAC President, Javier Garcia Martinez, IUPAC Past-President and ISC Fellow, Richard Hartshorn, IUPAC Executive Board member and CODATA vice-president, Frances Separovic, IUPAC Science Board member and Foreign Secretary of the Australian Academy of Science. We all actively contributed to discussions on open science and the impact of chemical sciences on climate action. Notably, IUPAC’s presence underscored the importance of international collaboration in chemical research, particularly in addressing challenges such as green chemistry innovations, digital standards, and gender equity.
In particular, during the session “From barriers to breakthroughs: Shaping the future of gender equality in science, Javier Garcia Martinez presented the various activities our Union is undertaking in this regard. This includes IUPAC’s participation in the project “A Global Approach to the Gender Gap in Mathematical, Computing, and Natural Sciences: How to Measure It, How to Reduce It?”, which is a great example of collaboration between different Unions under the leadership and funding of the ISC. Another IUPAC project that has had a great impact around the world is the Global Women’s Breakfast. This session was held a few weeks before GWB2025, so all participants were invited to attend. Finally, there was a lively panel
(from left) Richard Hartshorn, Mei-Hung Chiu, Javier Garcia Martinez, Frances Separovic, and Ehud Keinan.
discussion on how to use the broad membership of the ISC to promote gender equality, support existing efforts in this direction and create new ones.
The Unions, which in the ISC are known Category 1 members, had a dedicated session to discuss their priorities and concerns. This session was co-chaired by Ehud Keinan. As part of our discussions, we agreed to support ongoing efforts to assist scientists with visa applications and increase collaboration about the Unions. One specific example as how the Unions can have a greater impact through collaboration is the International Decade on Sciences for Sustainable Development. It was also decided to have frequent online meetings to coordinate efforts and exchange information.
During the Assembly, IUPAC delegates engaged with leaders of other scientific Unions to explore interdisciplinary collaborations, highlighting the role of chemistry in cross-sectoral research. In addition, IUPAC’s advocacy for scientific capacity building in developing regions resonated with the overarching goals of the ISC.
The outcomes of the Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and ISC General Assembly have far-reaching implications for the scientific community. IUPAC’s participation reinforced its position as a leading voice in global science policy, advocating for an integrated approach to chemistry that aligns with sustainable development goals. Moving forward, IUPAC will continue working with ISC and other international bodies to enhance scientific cooperation, support young scientists, and advance chemistry’s role in solving global challenges.
One of the specific outcomes of this meeting was the Muscat Declaration on Global Science, which can be found online: https://council.science/news/ muscat-declaration/. This important document, approved by all member organizations, emphasizes science as a global public good and calls for equitable access to knowledge. It advocates for the collaborative and transformative role of science to address global challenges. The declaration highlights the need for stronger global cooperation, scientific transparency, and responsible innovation. It also underscores the importance of ensuring that scientific advances benefit everyone, with particular focus on overcoming inequalities and addressing pressing issues like climate change, global health, and sustainability. Moreover, it stresses the need for policies that encourage openness, equity, and accountability in science, especially regarding emerging technologies.
The Declaration marks a collective effort from global scientific leaders to ensure that science serves the global community, pushing for systems that foster shared knowledge and collaboration for the benefit of all people. The Muscat Global Knowledge Dialogue and ISC General Assembly underscored the power of international scientific collaboration in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future and IUPAC remains committed to contributing its expertise to these global efforts, ensuring that chemistry remains at the forefront of transformative scientific progress.
Bryant William Rossiter, age 93, passed away of natural causes on December 22, 2024, at Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah. Born 10 March 1931, in Ogden, Utah, to Bryant Baddley Rossiter and Christine Elaine Peterson, he was the eldest of three children.
Bryant married Betty Jean Anderson, on 16 April 1951, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Their union was a testament to love and devotion. He was preceded in death by Betty and their son, Bryant Edwin, but leaves behind a remarkable legacy through his family, including
seven children, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A distinguished chemist and visionary leader, Dr. Rossier’s career was marked by groundbreaking contributions to science. He earned his B.A. in Chemistry (1954) and Ph.D. in Chemistry with a minor in Physics (1957) from the University of Utah. His career took him to prominent roles, including Director of Science and Technology development at Eastman Kodak Company and Vice President of ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in the development of the antiviral drug “Ribavirin.”
Bryant Rossiter made significant contributions to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), particularly through his leadership in CHEMRAWN (the Chemical Research Applied to World Needs). He served as the inaugural chair of the CHEMRAWN Committee from 1978 to 1987, playing a pivotal role in shaping its mission to address global challenges through chemistry. Under Rossiter’s leadership, CHEMRAWN organized conferences that brought together scientific leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to tackle pressing world issues. One notable event was CHEMRAWN II, held in Manila, Philippines, in December 1982, focusing on “Chemistry and World Food Supplies— the New Frontiers.” This groundbreaking conference was the first major international scientific meeting in a developing country, setting a precedent for future CHEMRAWN conferences. Dr. Rossiter’s vision and dedication established CHEMRAWN as a vital platform within IUPAC, fostering international collaboration to apply chemical research to global needs. His efforts have had a lasting impact on the chemistry community’s approach to addressing societal challenges. (John Malin, CI 29(2), 2007, pp. 4-7. https://doi.org/10.1515/ ci.2007.29.2.4)
Bryant Rossiter dedication to learning and discovery was evident throughout his life. Beyond his professional accolades, Bryant was a man of many passions. He was active in Boy Scouting and loved outdoors, fishing, horseback riding, and traveling. He found immense joy in history, reading, writing, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grand-children.
The International Science Council believes that there is a universal human right to participate in and enjoy the benefits of science, and that it is a responsibility of governments to create and sustain the opportunities of citizens to use this right
this right presumes a right to basic scientific literacy, and a right to scientific education, training and mentoring.
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A right to participate in generating diverse forms of knowledge through the study of natural and social phenomena using theoretical, observational, experimental, and analytical approaches to introduce and test existing and new models, conjectures, hypotheses and ideas unconstrained by political agendas or belief systems.
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A right to communicate both positive and negative findings.
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A right to challenge established knowledge about natural and social phenomena when generating and communicating new models, conjectures, hypotheses and ideas, and the uses to which may be put
A right to collaborate and engage in scientific dialogue and research across national, political, regional and other boundaries
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2 A right to form professional societies and associations
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A right not to be excluded from the benefits of science on the basis of unjust discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, language, sex, gender identity, reproductive ability, sexual orientation, age, disability, political opinion, or religious belief.
A right to equitably access information, data, and other resources necessary to enhance scientific knowledge, teaching and research
3 A right to advocate for the responsible use of science.
A right to apply scientific knowledge for technological developments for the good of humanity and the planet.
If you would like to learn more about the free and responsible practice of science, please visit: council science/the-right-to-science
Information about new, current, and complete IUPAC projects and related initiatives.
See also www.iupac.org/projects
The field of wearable chemical measurement devices has undergone extensive review, with widespread recognition of the need for further development to enhance functionality and broaden applications [1,2]. Key areas for improvement include expanding the range of detectable substances, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple analytes and physical parameters (e.g., heart rate, motion, temperature), and increasing data reliability, consistency, stability, and interpretability. As these devices evolve, integration with advancements in data transfer, informatics, and artificial intelligence could enable real-time responses, unlocking applications such as biomarker identification, continuous monitoring of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes), tracking patient status for critical conditions (e.g., heart disease, epilepsy), and optimizing pharmaceutical drug dosing and compliance. These non-invasive devices, which can draw data from saliva, tears, sweat, and interstitial fluid, have two primary applications: medical use and consumer-focused purposes like fitness and sports tracking. While regulatory frameworks address safety and data management in both areas, stringent requirements govern clinical applications, creating potential overlap and ambiguity between consumer and medical use cases. This highlights the need for clear definitions and standardized terminology. Additionally, the unique characteristics of wearable devices—such as their reliance on variable sample types and continuous data collection—may require reinterpretation or amendment of existing validation and calibration guidelines. Regulations must also account for the fluctuating correlation between biomarker levels in blood or plasma and alternative sample media, which vary with population, environment, and physiological state. Accurate clinical interpretation will therefore depend on multi-parametric data and robust correction mechanisms.
The ongoing IUPAC project titled “Assessing the need for nomenclature, standards and guidelines for wearable devices that provide chemical / biochemical measurement readouts” is mainly focusing on these objectives:
• Assess the requirements for internationally agreed definitions for wearable devices based on different use cases.
• Research and evaluate existing guidelines for
validation / critical evaluation of data / traceability for remote and wearable devices.
• Make recommendations on future guidelines to support standardization and metrology.
• Consider the need for training and awareness raising in this important and emerging field of science.
The establishment of internationally agreed definitions for wearable devices is critical to ensuring consistency, clarity, and interoperability across diverse use cases. Wearable devices serve a broad spectrum of applications, from medical diagnostics and continuous patient monitoring to consumer-focused activities such as fitness tracking and wellness management. Each use case presents unique requirements in terms of data accuracy, reliability, and regulatory compliance, necessitating clear and standardized terminology to distinguish between device functionalities, intended uses, and performance expectations. For medical applications, definitions must align with stringent clinical and regulatory standards to ensure patient safety, diagnostic accuracy, and therapeutic efficacy. Conversely, consumer-oriented devices require a focus on usability, non-invasiveness, and data privacy. The lack of unified definitions risks creating ambiguities in regulatory frameworks, complicating device classification, validation, and market approval processes. Therefore, internationally agreed nomenclature should account for the overlap and distinctions between medical and non-medical use cases, providing a framework that accommodates evolving technologies while addressing compliance, data transfer, and user interpretation across global markets. During the past months we assessed several technical definitions, but the first quest should be about a correct definition of wearable devices. According to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Organization for Standardization, a wearable device is defined as “a portable electronic device worn on the body that integrates sensors, electronics, and communication technologies to measure physiological, biochemical, or physical parameters [3]. These devices can be used for medical, fitness, or general wellness applications.” Although the definition is very comprehensive (broad definition across several fields), it is not detailed and exhaustive because it does not consider the accuracy and precision of the measurement, which play a key role in the approval from Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For instance, the US FDA approved several guidelines for each medical device like blood glucose monitoring systems (BGMS). In this specific context, there is a net distinction between “Systems
for Prescription Point-of-Care Use” and “Systems for Over-the-Counter Use”, and wearable devices might fall in the second category. However, most of the BGMSs, belonging both classes, are validated based on the criteria set by ISO document 15197. FDA considers the criteria outlined in the ISO 15197 standard insufficient to ensure adequate protection for patients relying on BGMSs in professional healthcare environments. For precision, there are two aspects that need to be considered: within-run precision and intermediate precision. Within-run precision studies assess device variability by repeatedly measuring samples across the claimed glucose range using different meters and test strip lots. Intermediate precision studies evaluate variability under simulated use conditions with multiple operators, days, and reagent lots, often using control solutions instead of blood samples. In both cases, FDA recommends specific procedures to perform the measurements, data analysis and presentation within the 510(k) premarket submission [4,5].
Researching and evaluating existing guidelines for the validation, critical evaluation of data, and traceability of remote and wearable devices necessitates a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and international standards to ensure that these technologies meet stringent safety, accuracy, and reliability requirements. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA, alongside standards organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), have established foundational principles to guide manufacturers in ensuring that their devices are fit for purpose. For instance, ISO 15197, which governs glucose monitoring systems, emphasizes the need for validated precision, bias minimization, and total error measurement, serving as a benchmark for similar wearable technologies.
For wearable and remote devices, the continuous and dynamic nature of data collection presents unique challenges. Sensors must operate reliably across a variety of environmental conditions and user interactions, which can introduce variability in measurement outputs. As such, validation guidelines typically require multi-parametric testing under controlled conditions that simulate real-world scenarios, incorporating variables such as temperature fluctuations, motion artifacts, and user variability. These tests ensure that devices can maintain consistent performance across diverse settings and populations.
Critical evaluation of data generated by these devices involves assessing parameters such as precision, accuracy, linearity, stability, and repeatability. Standards like IEC 60601-1 for medical electrical equipment
specify requirements for performance testing to ensure data integrity over the device’s operational lifespan. Furthermore, advanced data processing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, increasingly used in wearable devices, necessitate new layers of validation to confirm the reliability and interpretability of algorithm-driven outputs [6].
Traceability is another key pillar of existing guidelines. Measurements must be linked to higher-order reference standards or internationally recognized traceability chains to ensure consistency and comparability. For example, in medical applications, wearable devices often require calibration against laboratory-based reference methods, such as those traceable to National Metrology Institutes or certified reference materials. This process is crucial for devices providing critical diagnostic data, as any deviation from traceable standards could result in significant clinical risks.
Emerging regulatory guidance for wearable and remote devices also addresses the integration of connectivity and data transfer technologies. Standards like the IEEE 11073 series focus on the interoperability and secure exchange of medical device data, highlighting the importance of consistent data handling throughout the entire measurement-to-analysis pipeline. Furthermore, the FDA’s Digital Health guidelines outline best practices for validating software and ensuring that devices meet cybersecurity and data privacy requirements [7,8].
Recently, we proposed organizing a small symposium on the regulation of wearable devices under the auspices of the Theo Murphy initiative (Royal Society, https://royalsociety.org/science-eventsand-lectures/scientific/scientific-meetings/) to bring
together scientists, regulatory authorities, industry representatives, and other key stakeholders. This symposium aims to address critical regulatory challenges associated with wearable devices, including standardization, data validation, traceability, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The event will foster interdisciplinary discussions, enabling the identification of gaps in current frameworks and the development of actionable recommendations to improve device safety, efficacy, and interoperability. By engaging diverse stakeholders, the symposium will also explore pathways to harmonize international guidelines, ensuring robust regulatory strategies that support innovation while safeguarding public health. The event will serve as a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange, shaping the future of wearable device regulation in both medical and consumer applications.
Future guidelines for wearable devices should focus on harmonizing international standards, robust validation protocols, and traceability to high-order references. They must address challenges like continuous data collection, algorithm validation, and interoperability. Training and awareness programs are essential to equip stakeholders with skills to navigate this emerging field. Workshops and collaborations should promote best practices, ensuring reliability and widespread adoption of standardized approaches. These initiatives will foster sustainable progress and innovation in wearable device regulation.
References
1. Juliane R. Sempionatto, José A. Lasalde-Ramírez, Kuldeep Mahato, Joseph Wang & Wei Gao. Nature Reviews Chemistry, 6, 899–915 (2022)
2. Asha Sharma, Anoop Singh, Vinay Gupta and Sandeep Arya. Sens. Diagn., 1, 387–404 (2022)
3. ISO/TR 14639-2: Health informatics – Capacity-based eHealth architecture roadmap – Part 2: Architectural components and maturity model.
4. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fdaguidance-documents/blood-glucose-monitoring-testsystems-prescription-point-care-use
5. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fdaguidance-documents/self-monitoring-blood-glucose-testsystems-over-counter-use
6. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2020). IEC 60601-1: Medical Electrical Equipment –General requirements for basic safety and essential performance.
7. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2018). IEEE 11073-10101: Health informatics – Point-of-care medical device communication.
8. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2021). Traceability and Measurement Assurance in Biomedical Applications.
For more information and comment, contact Task Group Chair Luisa Torsi <luisa.torsi@uniba.it> | https://iupac.org/project/2023-006-1-500/
Explore Chemistry’s Role in Solving Global Challenges— A year-long webinar series you won’t want to miss
Throughout 2025, Beyond Benign and CHEMRAWN are hosting a free webinar series showcasing the power of chemistry to tackle critical global challenges. Each session aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and IUPAC’s Top 10 Emerging Technologies, offering a unique perspective on how chemistry is shaping a sustainable future.
This series is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about driving positive change through chemistry, whether you’re an aspiring chemist, climate advocate, or an interested member of the public. Register online* to learn from experts in the field who are leading the charge to solve world needs through chemistry.
The first session in January explored MOFs & their potential to tackle urgent world needs with Ashlee Howard.
https://iupac.org/promoting-chemistry-applied-to-world-needs/
For more information and comment, contact Task Group Fran Kerton <fkerton@mun.ca> | https://iupac.org/project/2024-010-2-021/
Update from the IUPAC Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights, ciaaw.org, 20 Dec 2024.
Natural variations of carbon isotope ratios are expressed relative to Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (VPDB) [1]. In 1998, IUPAC recommended [2] the value of the 13C/12C isotope ratio in VPDB as reported by Chang and Li [3], and this recommendation was further reaffirmed by IUPAC in 2010 [4]. However, recent measurements of carbon isotope ratios associated with VPDB have led the CIAAW to reexamine the set of reference values describing the isotopic composition of VPDB. The CIAAW now recommends the following value of the 13C/12C isotope
ratio for VPDB (where the quoted uncertainty is at 95 % confidence level):
R(13C/12C, VPDB) = 0.011 113 ± 0.000 022
This value represents a consensus estimate from ten studies published between 1990 and 2024 from numerous independent measurement techniques. One of these studies is the work of Dunn et al. [5], which the CIAAW has identified as the best mass spectrometric measurement of the isotopic composition of carbon from a single terrestrial sample published in the peer-reviewed literature, commonly known as the “IUPAC Best Measurement.”
This revision also affects other quantities surrounding VPDB. Values shown here, along with their associated expanded uncertainties (at 95 % confidence level), are meant to replace those recommended by IUPAC in 2010 [4, Table 2].
δVPDB(13C/12C, NBS 19) = 0.001 95 (assumed exact)
δVPDB(18O/16O, NBS 19) = –0.0022 (assumed exact)
R(18O/16O, VPDB-CO2)/R(18O/16O, VPDB) = 1.010 25 *
R(18O/16O, VPDB)/R(18O/16O, VSMOW) = 1.030 92 *
λ = 0.528 *
R(17O/16O, VPDB-CO2) = 0.000 3908 ± 0.000 0012
R(18O/16O, VPDB-CO2) = 0.002 088 39 ± 0.000 000 92
R(17O/16O, VPDB-CO2)/R(13C/12C, VPDB) = 0.035 16 ± 0.000 09
Asterisk identifies commonly accepted values that are assumed exact. A datafile describing the provenance of these newly recommended values is available from CIAAW website for download at https://ciaaw.org/data/ vpdb-2024.xlsx
1. Coplen (1994) Pure Appl. Chem. 66, 273-276; doi: 10.1351/pac199466020273
2. Rosman and Taylor (1998) Pure Appl. Chem. 70, 217235; doi: 10.1351/pac199870010217
3. Chang and Li (1990) Chin. Sci. Bull. 35, 290-296; doi: 10.1360/sb1990-35-4-290
4. Brand et al (2010) Pure Appl. Chem. 82, 1719-1733; doi: 10.1351/pac-rep-09-01-05
5. Dunn et al (2024), Rapid Comm. Mass Spectrom. 38, e9773; doi: 10.1002/rcm.9773
Provisional Recommendations are preliminary drafts of IUPAC recommendations. These drafts encompass topics including terminology, nomenclature, and symbols. Following approval, the final recommendations are published in IUPAC’s journal Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC) or in IUPAC books. During the commentary period for Provisional Recommendations, interested parties are encouraged to suggest revisions to the recommendation’s author. https://iupac.org/recommendations/under-review-by-the-public/
Corresponding Author: Alex M. Van Herk a.m.v.herk@tue.nl
Experimental Methods and Data Evaluation Procedures for the Determination of Radical Copolymerization Reactivity Ratios from Composition Data
This recommendation defines the preferred methodology for determining reactivity ratios from copolymer composition data using the terminal model for radical copolymerization. The method is based on measuring conversion (X) and copolymer composition (F) of three or more copolymerization reactions conducted with different initial monomer compositions (f0). Both low and high conversion experiments can be combined, or alternatively only low conversion experiments can be used. The method provides parameter estimates, but
can also reveal deviations from the terminal model and the presence of systematic errors in the measurements. Special attention is given to error estimation in F and construction of the joint confidence interval for the reactivity ratios. Previous experiments measuring f0–F (i.e., copolymer composition as a function of varying f0) or f–X (i.e., how f varies with X in an experiment) can also be analyzed with this IUPAC-recommended method. The influence of systematic errors in the measurements on the reactivity ratio determinations is addressed. The document has a broad significance in that it seeks to eradicate the use of incorrect methods and common mistakes in determining reactivity ratios in radical copolymerizations.
Comments by 30 June 2025
https://iupac.org/recommendation/radical-copolymerization-reactivity-ratios/
Toward a definition of valence as a quantity (IUPAC Technical Report)
Pavel Karen, Lidia Armelao, Ian S. Butler, Vladislav Tomišić and Makoto Yamashita
Pure and Applied Chemistry 20225, Vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 149-187
https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2023-0402
Valence has a rich history in chemistry, as a bonding concept, in terms of quantitative context, and as a true quantity. In the latter, a survey preceding this project revealed differing perceptions of valence values and helped formulate candidate definitions. This IUPAC task group evaluated nine quantities behind eight alternative definitions on 39 chemical entities of 48 bonding formulas, each giving a set of meaningful values with mutual relationships. Given the reflection principle of IUPAC normative work, 15 comparative examples with high variation of these alternative valences for an element were selected, and chemistry articles in English searched for valence-termed quantities of the compared compounds to imply the definition behind the stated valence value, the frequency of such use, and the chemistry field. Summarized preferences for the alternative definitions show two main areas of use. Organic and physical chemists count valence as a number of two-electron bonds at the atom. Inorganic chemists working with semi-metallic and metallic elements use n-valent as an adjective for oxidation state. The diverse yet infrequent use cannot be covered by a single definition of the valence quantity. Clarity in articles that use valence as a quantity is essential and achievable by stating the intended context.
https://iupac.org/project/2018-030-2-200/
Jorg Karger, Rustem Valiullin, et al.
Pure and Applied Chemistry 2025, Vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 1-89
https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2023-1126
The random motion (the diffusion) of guest molecules in nanoporous host materials is key to their manifold technological applications and, simultaneously, a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature quite in general.
Recent IUPAC technical reports and recommendations that affect the many fields of pure and applied chemistry.
See also www.iupac.org/what-we-do/journals/
Based on a specification of the different conditions under which molecular diffusion in nanoporous materials may occur and of the thus resulting relevant parameters, a survey of the various ways of the measurement of the determining parameters is given. Starting with a condensed introduction to the respective measuring principles, the survey notably includes a summary of the various parameters accessible by each individual technique, jointly with an overview of their strengths and weaknesses as well as of the respective ranges of observation. The presentation is complemented by basic relations of diffusion theory and molecular modeling in nanoporous materials, illustrating their significance for enhancing the informative value of each measuring technique and the added value attainable by their combination. By providing guidelines for the measurement and reporting of diffusion properties of chemical compounds in nanopores, the document aims to contribute to the clarification and standardization of the presentation, nomenclature, and methodology associated with the documentation of diffusion phenomena in nanoporous materials serving for catalytic, mass separation, and other relevant purposes.
https://iupac.org/project/2015-002-2-100/
Rana, L.; Kouka, S.; Gajdosova, V.; et al. Materials 2024, 17, 5474 https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17225474
This work describes the preparation of highly homogeneous thermoplastic starches (TPS’s) with the addition of 0, 5, or 10 wt % of maltodextrin (MD) and 0 or 3 wt % of TiO2 nanoparticles. The TPS preparation was based on a two-step preparation protocol, which consisted in solution casting followed by melt mixing. Rheology measurements at the typical starch processing temperature (120 °C) demonstrated that maltodextrin acted as a lubricating agent, which decreased the viscosity of the system. Consequently, the in situ measurement during the melt mixing confirmed that the torque moments and real processing temperatures of all TPS/MD systems decreased in comparison with the pure TPS. The detailed characterization of morphology, thermomechanical properties, and local mechanical properties revealed that the viscosity decrease was accompanied by a slight
decrease in the system homogeneity. The changes in the real processing temperatures might be quite moderate (ca 2–3 °C), but maltodextrin is a cheap and easy-to-add modifier, and the milder processing conditions are advantageous for both technical applications (energy savings) and biomedical applications (beneficial for temperature-sensitive additives, such as antibiotics).
This publication is the first released by the project task group https://iupac. org/project/2023-015-2-400/
CTI ranks well amongst most other journals related to chemistry education.
The publication of special issues focused on a specific subject is one of the ways groups within IUPAC can showcase their educational activities. CHEMRAWN published in June 2024 a special issue in CTI about the problems of E-waste. The Polymer Division did publish a special issue on polymer sciences in June 2021.
Towards the end of December 2024, a special issue (Volume 6 Issue 4) was published focusing on teaching ethics and core values in chemistry education. In Table 1 an overview of the titles of the articles is given.
Glossary of terms for mass and volume in analytical chemistry
Maria F. Camões, Gary D. Christian, and David Brynn Hibbert
Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2025 Vol. 97, no. 2, pp. 137-147 https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2023-0903
A glossary of terms and definitions for concepts in the use of mass and volume in analytical chemistry is presented. These include definitions for analytical methods of measurement (gravimetry, volumetry, and titrimetry) and supporting terms. Terms are updates of earlier recommendations or Orange Book entries.
https://iupac.org/project/2021-018-1-500/
The teaching of ethics and core values in chemistry
Jan Apotheker, editor
Chemistry Teacher International, 2024, Vol.6 Issue 4, Special issue
Chemistry Teacher International is beginning to earn a place within the journals related to chemistry education. The journal offers a platform for both research in chemistry education as well as good practices. As an open-access journal, it tries to involve researchers and teachers from all over the world. As a result, authors from all over the world, including African and Asian countries, have found a platform to publish their articles. CTI now has an impact factor of Clarivate JIF 2.2 and a Scopus Cite score of 3.1. With these scores,
This special issue salutes the formation of the Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CEDEI) within IUPAC. IUPAC has a long-standing cooperation with amongst others, OPCW, about ethics within chemistry, culminating in the publication of the ‘The Hague Ethical Guidelines’ (Husbands & Suárez, 2016) in 2016. IUPAC endorsed them in 2016.
Within the European Union, the concept of ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ (RRI), which has had an influence both on industry as well as education (von Schomberg, 2013; Mahaffy et al., 2014; Sutcliffe, 2011) was developed. RRI has six focal points, Ethics, Science Education, Gender Equality, Open Access, Governance, and Public Engagement. In Figure 1, the idea of Gender Equality is depicted. These focal points tie in with the activities of the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education (CCE). The publication of Chemistry Teacher International as an open-access journal is one of them.
Over the past two decades two developments have influenced the discussion on teaching ethics in chemistry education. Normal part of the curriculum of course is a discussion on academic integrity, normally linked to that a code of academic conduct in research. But ethical issues specifically linked to chemistry have not been a normal part of the curriculum. With the formulation of the principles of green chemistry (Anastas and Eghbali, 2010) sustainability became a focal point in chemistry research and development. Other developments like the ones described above led to the formulation of core values for chemists. chemists (Apotheker, 2023). These core values not only refer to working safely, but also towards sustainable use of substances, as well as the future use of raw materials. Another important aspect is the adherence to prevailing laws and regulations, including the expectations to report infringements to relevant authorities. Within OPCW this led ultimately to the formation of an Advisory Board on Education and Outreach. In this body, the double use of chemicals as well as chemical knowledge has been a topic of discussion. As a result of
Jan Mehlig
Leiv Sydnes
Iwona Maciejowska
Marina Stojanovska
Teaching responsible chemistry: a challenge-based learning framework for the implementation of RRI courses in tertiary chemistry education
A teaching module in research integrity and ethics for university students based on the IUPAC living-code approach
Implementation of the course “good chemistry: methodological, ethical and social implications” – a case study
Integrating ethics and democratic principles in chemistry education: a case study
Ron Blonder AI for chemistry teaching: responsible AI and ethical considerations
Graciela Gonzalez From forensic Chemistry: an educational experience
Alastair Hay Interactive ethics teaching for chemists
Liliana Mammino Ethics within chemistry education: options, challenges and perspectives
Liu Xinwei Chemical Ethics: Practices in HEBUST of China
Sebastian Kozuch Do we Know the Chemical Bond? A Case for the Ethical Teaching of Undefined Paradigms
Table 1. Articles in the special issue of Chemistry Teacher International on teaching ethics and core values in chemistry education
this discussion several ideas for introduction of the concept of dual use in education were formulated.
Both Alastair Hay (Hay, 2024), former member of the Advisory Board on Ethics and Outreach of OPCW as well as Gabriela Gonzalez (González, 2024) describe possible ways to introduce ethical aspects related to the use of chemical knowledge, and the use of chemically produced compounds. These can be related to the use and production of chemical weapons, but also to the use of chemical knowledge related to the production of illicit drugs and undesired consequences of the production and/or use of materials and agrochemicals.
In Jan Mehlich’s article (Mehlich, 2024) emphasis is given on the ideas of RRI, as well as a description of a course in which these issues are discussed. Other examples of the way the principles of RRI can be implemented in secondary education have been developed for example in the EU project Irresistible (Apotheker et al., 2017; Maciejowska and Apotheker, 2014). Within IUPAC several discussions related to ethics but also on gender issues have led to the installment of a Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. One of the tasks of this committee is to develop in-house policies on ethics diversity and inclusiveness (IUPAC, 2024). In her article, Liliana Mammino (Mammino, 2024) discusses a definition of ethical behavior, while Leiv Sydnes (Sydnes, 2024) discusses the importance of teaching ethics, and describes a course used to do
1. Ethics and gender equality
so. Liu (Liu, 2024) describes the way teaching of ethics has been integrated at the Hebei University of Science and Technology.
The core values for chemists, not only refer to working safely but also towards sustainable use of substances, as well as the future use of raw materials. Another important aspect is the adherence to prevailing laws and regulations, including the expectations to report infringements to relevant authorities. Maria Stojanovska (Stojanovska, 2024) and Iwona Majiejowska (Maciejowska, 2024) describe a course in which some of these aspects were introduced, New developments within society, like the development of artificial intelligence, and ChatGPT ask for a response in education. Some of these aspects are addressed in Ron Blonders article (Blonder and Feldman-Maggor, 2024).
The 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) recognizes 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics <quantum2025.org>. Joining in the celebrations, IUPAC is preparing a special Issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The special issue of PAC will contain about 40 invited articles that recognize the impact of quantum science and technology in many branches of chemistry. Potential authors are invited to contact the editors if they are interested in contributing. The Guest Editors are Manuel Yáñez (manuel. yanez@uam.es), Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain and Russell J. Boyd (russell.boyd@dal.ca), Dalhousie University, Canada.
Sebastian Kozuch (Kozuch, 2024) finally discusses ethical and philosophical aspects of chemical knowledge, linked to our understanding of the chemical bond. With these articles a broad review of possible ways to introduce ethical and moral issues in chemistry education is given. They can serve as examples for others to start these discussions within their own teaching practice.
References
Anastas, P. and Eghbali, N. (2010). Green chemistry: Principles and practice. Chemical Society Reviews, 39(1), 301–312. https:// doi.org/10.1039/B918763B
Apotheker, J., Blonder, R., Akaygun, S., Reis, P., Kampschulte, L. and Laherto, A. (2017). Responsible Research and Innovation in secondary school science classrooms: experiences from the project Irresistible. Pure Appl. Chem., 89(2). https://doi. org/10.1515/pac-2016-0817
Blonder, R. and Feldman-Maggor, Y. (2024). AI for chemistry teaching: responsible AI and ethical considerations. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 385-395. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-20240014
González, G. A. (2024). From forensic chemistry: an educational experience. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 397-406. https://doi. org/10.1515/cti-2024-0028
Hay, A. W.M. (2024). Interactive ethics teaching for students of chemistry. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 407-417. https://doi. org/10.1515/cti-2024-0009
Husbands, J. L. and Suárez, A. G. (2016). The Hague Ethical Guidelines: applying the norms of the practice of chemistry to support the Chemical Weapons Convention. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 98(9), 1110–1114. https://doi.org/10. 1080/02772248.2016.1172074
IUPAC (2024, November). Committee on Ethics, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. https://iupac.org/body/060/.
Jan Apotheker. (2023). Core values in chemistry education. GPG Journal of Science Education, 4(3), 10–18.
Kozuch, S. (2024). Do we know the chemical bond? A case for the
ethical teaching of undefined paradigms. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 445-462. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2024-0113
Liu, X., Wu, T., Sun, Y., Gu, L., Wen, J., Liu, S., Yang, K. and Sun, F. (2024). Chemical ethics practices in HEBUST of China. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 431-443. https://doi.org/10.1515/ cti-2024-2004
Maciejowska, I. (2024). Implementation of the course “good chemistry: methodological, ethical and social implications” – a case study. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 359-371. https://doi. org/10.1515/cti-2024-0019
Maciejowska, I. and Apotheker, J. (2014). Raising youth awareness to responsible research and innovation through inquiry-based science education. Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis, 174, 119–126.
Mahaffy, P., Zondervan, J., Hay, A., Feakes, D. and Forman, J. (2014). IUPAC and OPCW working toward responsible science Chem. Int., 36(5), 9–13. https://doi.org/doi:10.1515/ ci-2014-0508
Mammino, L. (2024). Ethics within chemistry education: options, challenges and perspectives Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 419–429. https://doi.org/doi:10.1515/cti-2024-0027
Mehlich, J. (2024). Teaching responsible chemistry: a challengebased learning framework for the implementation of RRI courses in tertiary chemistry education. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2024-0022
Stojanovska, M. (2024). Integrating ethics and democratic principles in chemistry education: a case study. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 373–383. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2024-0010
Sutcliffe, H. (2011). A report on responsible research and innovation. Matter.
Sydnes, L. K. (2024). A teaching module in research integrity and ethics for university students based on the IUPAC living-code approach. Chem. Teacher Int., 6(4), 349–357. https://doi. org/10.1515/cti-2024-0006
Von Schomberg, R. (2013). A vision of responsible innovation. In R. Owen, M. Heintz and J. Bessant (Eds.), Responsible innovation: Managing the responsible emergence of science and innovation in society (pp. 51–74). John Wiley. 10.1002/9781118551424.ch3
by Balu Balasubramanian
MCADDI 2024 Highlights the impact of this IUPAC cosponsored course in India’s Growing Influence in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery
Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery & Development India 2024 (MCADDI 2024), held from 22-27 September at Biocon Academy in Bangalore, brought together leading scientists, industry professionals, and academics for an intensive five-day program. The event was co-sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Medicinal Chemistry (MEDI), ACS Publications, and the IUPAC Chemistry and Human Health Division. With close to 100 participants from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, the course provided in-depth training on the principles of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The event kicked off on September 22nd, with buzzing excitement as participants registered, received conference kits, and were welcomed by the Biocon Academy team.
The event highlighted the latest breakthroughs in drug
discovery, emphasizing India’s expanding role in the global pharmaceutical industry. Compared to the inaugural MCADDI in 2013, this year’s sessions featured a notable increase in homegrown clinical candidates presented during case history discussions, underscoring the significant progress made by India’s research ecosystem.
“Seeing how this five-day course has contributed to strengthening the discovery research ecosystem in India is truly gratifying,” said one of the CEOs of an Indian CDMO. One of the core objectives of this IUPAC project has been to promote awareness of medicinal chemistry and discovery research in developing countries, and it is encouraging to see those efforts yielding tangible results.
MCADDI 2024 demonstrated how such initiatives
are fostering innovation and nurturing scientific talent, further solidifying India’s reputation as a key player in drug discovery and development.
MCADDI 2024 was designed for industrial and academic participants who are currently working in drug discovery and development. The course included 30 lectures on target identification and validation, lead optimization, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, molecular modelling, bio-isosteres, structure-based and AI-based drug design, drug-like properties, pharmaceutics, discovery of biologics and other topics of interest, including novel modalities such as ADC, PROTAC, Molecular Glues, to drug discovery & development scientists. MCADDI 2024 also included several lectures on pharmaceutical development CMC topics including process optimization and development, biopharmaceutics and analytical sciences. Case Histories exemplifying the integrated drug discovery and development were the true highlights of the course.
Participants from top Indian pharma companies and CROs, including Syngene International Limited, Aurigene Oncology Limited, Jubilant Biosys Limited, Biocon, Bristol Myers Squibb, Sai Life Sciences Ltd, Sun Pharma, Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Schrödinger, and LAXAI Life Sciences attended the course.
This mix of content ensured the program catered to both experienced professionals and newcomers in drug discovery.
The course was highly interactive, with networking sessions, Lunch & Learn, and discussions. Special sessions showcased real-world examples, offering participants practical insights into pharmaceutical challenges.
Attendees had the chance to interact with a strong lineup of speakers from India and the USA: Thomas Prisinzano, Manjunath Ramarao, Vincent Stoll, Nicholas Meanwell, Mukul Jain, Bruce Ellsworth, H. Rachel Lagiakos, Rustom Mody, Nitin Damle, Sridhar Desikan, Martin Eastgate, Sandhya Mandlekar and Nagaraj Gowda
The week included Lunch and Learn sessions presented by Merck Life Sciences and Agilent Technologies, with state-of-the-art instruments on
display. Special booths from Syngene International, Biocon Academy, and Burkert were a focus of attention during the week.
MCADDI 2024 included a reception and dinner at The Oterra, Bangalore, on 26 September and a CEO Forum entitled “India Innovators and Innovation Enablers.” The forum featured industry leaders Akhil Ravi, CEO of Aurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited, Murthy Chavali, CEO of Satya Pharma Innovations Private Limited, and Murali Ramachandra, CEO of Aurigene Oncology Limited, who shared their visions for India’s current and future role in the global biosciences landscape.
Networking, Celebrations, and Testimonials
Participants enjoyed a reception and dinner at The Oterra, Bangalore on 26 September, a fitting conclusion to a week of learning and collaboration. The event was praised for its seamless organization and impactful sessions.
Sarmistha Majumdar from Schrödinger remarked: “Thanks to Biocon Academy and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw for hosting MCADDI 2024. It was a great platform for professionals to gain a comprehensive view of the drug discovery process”.
Balu N. Balasubramanian, Strategic Pharma Innovation-Sourcing Center LLC, USA, commented: “MCADDI has evolved into a mature and impactful platform, paving the way for students, scientists, and CMOs alike. Biocon Academy’s exceptional coordination has made it a premier event in the biotech space.”
Vincent S. Stoll from AbbVie Inc. shared: “Attending the MCADDI Summit was a fantastic opportunity to engage with scientists and foster collaboration. This event truly enhances knowledge-sharing and networking for professionals and speakers alike.”
https://iupac.org/project/2023-033-2-700/
by Slobodan Gadžurić, Chair of ISSP21
The 21st International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena and Related Equilibrium Processes (ISSP21) took place from 9-13 September 2024, in Novi Sad, Serbia. In the year when ISSP celebrates its 40th birthday since the first symposium in London, Ontario Canada in 1984, and 50 years of the Solubility data project, whose first meeting happened in Montreal, Canada in 1974, the conference was organized by the University of Novi Sad and chaired by Slobodan Gadžurić (University of Novi Sad, Serbia). The ISSP21 is a continuation of the successful IUPAC conference series, which brings together new results of our scientific work and presents and discusses new findings on various scientific and technological issues related to solubility phenomena and chemical equilibria.
The conference covered various scientific topics, including:
• Aqueous Solutions
• Biofuels
• Computer Assisted Equilibrium Calculation
• Deep Eutectic Solvents
• Environmental Equilibrium Processes and Applications
• Fluid Phase Equilibria
• Molten Salts
• Ionic Liquids
• Nuclear Wastes
• Solution Chemistry Complex Equilibria
• Solubility Phenomena in Pharmaceutical applications
The conference was attended by more than 60 registered participants from 17 countries worldwide. The invited speakers delivered 5 plenary and 8 keynote talks.
Plenary lectures:
• Ivo Leito, University of Tartu, Estonia – Using the available pKa data in non-aqueous solvents
• Clara Magalhães, University of New South Wales, Australia – Chemistry in Art and Art in Chemistry
• Andrea Mele, Politecnico di Milano, Italy – Thirty years of Ionic Liquids
• Mirjana Minčeva, Technical University of Munich, Germany – Exploring the Potential: Design Strategies and Applications of Deep Eutectic Solvents
• Zdenek Wagner, Czech Academy of Science, Czechia – Calorimetric and phase equilibrium data: from design of measurements methods to assessment of uncertainty and critical evaluation
Keynote lectures:
• Magdalena Bendová, University of Chemistry and Technology, Czechia – Solution behaviour of chiral organic chlorides in water and wet octanol
• Blanka Kubiková, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia – Study of solubility of oxides in molten salts
• Miha Lukšič, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
– The Intricate Role of Salts and Sugars in Biomolecular Complexation
• Demetrio Milea, Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy – Modeling the dependence of stability constants on medium and ionic strength. The pure water model
• Caroline Da Ros Montes d’Oca, Federal University of Paraná, Brasil – Ionic Liquids in organic synthesis: mechanistic aspects in Knoevenagel reactions
• Ricardo Simões, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal – Solute Aggregates in Solution and the Crystallization of Organic Molecules
• Tatjana Trtić-Petrović, University of Belgrade, Serbia – Insight into the impact of ionic liquids on forming aqueous biphasic systems
• Tatjana Verbić, University of Belgrade, Serbia
– Drug solubility enhancement: from buffer complexes formation to acid-base supersolubilization
The program was compiled from 34 oral presentations. In addition, 25 posters were presented. The Book of Abstracts comprising all contributions is available on the conference web page.
All oral and poster presentations of the early-stage researchers were evaluated by five poster evaluators (Clara Magalhães, Wolfgang Voigt, Demetrio Milea, Earl Waghorne, and Glenn Hefter), and the best oral and the best poster presenters were awarded during the conference dinner a book voucher of 250 euros sponsored by SPRINGER. The awarded students are:
• Bence Kutus, University of Szeged, Hungary for the best oral presentation, and
• Dajana Lazarević, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia for the best poster presentation.
In addition, two Franzosini prizes were presented to:
The workshop on Assessment of Reliability and Uncertainty of Solubility Data on the 9th September afternoon.
• Cezary Gumiński from the University of Warsaw, Poland, and
• Christian Ekberg from the University of Göteborg in Sweden,
for their work dedicated to solubility phenomena and critical evaluation of the equilibrium data.
For the first time, the newly established Balarew Award was given to promising young scientist working in the field of solubility and related equilibrium processes. The first awardee was presented to:
• Märt Lõkov from the University of Tartu, Estonia.
During this conference, Clara Magalhães, the IUPAC representative at ISSP21, gave a presentation on the various activities of IUPAC.
A half-day Workshop on Assessment of Reliability and Uncertainty of Solubility Data sponsored by IUPAC was also organized in a hybrid model. The speakers were:
• Zdeněk Wagner, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia – Assessment of repeatability and reproducibility and robust regression of non-normally distributed data
• Earle Waghorne, University College Dublin, Ireland – Calculation of consensus values
• Ala Bazyleva and Vladimir Diky, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA – Reliability of thermodynamic property data
• Johan Jacquemin, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morrocco Thermodynamic data mining and data curation
On Sunday, 8 September 2024, the Annual meeting of the IUPAC Subcommittee on Solubility and
Equilibrium Data (SSED) was held at the Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad from 9am to 6pm in a hybrid form.
In addition to the busy scientific program, the conference was also rich in social events. The conference city tour and wine tasting took place on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in the afternoon. The conference banquet took place on Thursday, September 12, in the evening in the national restaurant Aqua Doria, which offers traditional Serbian cuisine.
Springer offers the possibility to publish articles from the conference in a special issue of the Journal of Solution Chemistry after a peer-review process. Plenary and keynote speakers have been invited to publish their papers in a special issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry
https://issp2024.pmf.uns.ac.rs/
The 10th International Conference on Green Chemistry (10ICGC), held in Beijing from 18 to 22 October 2024, marked a significant milestone, not only for its success in terms of participation and excellent programme but also for the remarkable coincidence of having six past and present IUPAC Presidents in attendance. Each one of them—Nicole Moreau (2010-2011), Natalia Tarasova (2016-2017), Qifeng Zhou (20182019), Chris Brett (2020-2021), Javier García Martinez (2022-2023), and Ehud Keinan (2024-2025)—have
each played a critical role in advancing the green chemistry agenda. Their collective presence at this major congress devoted to Green Chemistry was a testament to IUPAC’s long-standing commitment to promoting sustainable practices in chemistry.
This historic meeting underscored IUPAC’s ongoing commitment and leadership to the principles of green chemistry, a field that is critical to addressing global environmental challenges. The participation of Qifeng Zhou, who served as President of Peking University before becoming IUPAC President, was particularly significant. As host, he presented each of the other Presidents with an original piece of Chinese calligraphy he made, with a message of good fortune and well-being. The Presidents enjoyed a private lunch arranged by the conference organisers, during which they recalled various anecdotes from their respective presidencies and discussed the present and future of the Union.
The 10ICGC was jointly organised by the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Chemical Society and the IUPAC Interdivisional Committee on Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development (ICGCSD). The theme of the congress “Green Chemistry for Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development,” served as a global platform for exchanging ideas and fostering collaboration among stakeholders from academia, industry, NGOs, policy makers and society. The conference made a significant contribution to the advancement of green chemistry for carbon neutrality and sustainable development, with discussions ranging from innovative chemical technologies to the future of sustainable industry. Plenary speakers included Paul T. Anastas, Yale University, USA; Kazunari Domen, University of Tokyo/ Shinshu University, Japan; Javier García Martínez, University
Six past and present IUPAC Presidents attended the 10th International Conference on Green Chemistry in Beijing in October 2024. The historic occasion highlights IUPAC’s commitment to Green Chemistry. From left to right: Nicole Moreau, Natalia Tarasova, Qifeng Zhou, Chris Brett, Javier García Martinez and Ehud Keinan.
of Alicante, Spain; Mingyuan He, East China Normal University, China; Ehud Keinan, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel; Johannes A. Lercher, Technical University of Munich, Germany; Chaojun Li, McGill University, Canada; Martyn Poliakoff, Nottingham University, UK; Li-Zhu Wu, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, CAS, China.
Special recognition must also be given to the organisers of the Conference, in particular Zhimin Liu, Chair of the Organising Committee, and Buxing Han, Chair of the Scientific Committee and Chair of ICGCSD. Their efforts resulted in a highly successful event that provided a platform for experts and young scientists alike to exchange ideas, explore new technologies and strengthen global collaboration.
The Conference underscored its importance by showcasing breakthroughs and fostering discussions that will shape the future of chemistry, and there was no better way to signify this than through the presence of six IUPAC Presidents at the event.
See https://iupac.org/event/10th-iupac-international-conference-ongreen-chemistry/
by Modou Fall, Matar Seck, and Abdoulaye Dramé
The Senegalese Committee for Chemistry (SCC) organized the FASC | JACS 2024 including the 6th edition of its Annual Days of Chemistry of Senegal (i.e. Journées Annuelles de Chimie du Sénégal—JACS) in conjunction with the 9th Assembly General of the Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC) at Radisson Blu Hotel in Dakar on 19-21 November 2024. The conference was themed “Chemistry, A Lever for Sustainable Development of African Countries.” The opening ceremony was presided over by Aminata Niang Diène, Rector of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD), on behalf of the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of Senegal. FASC aspires to bring together all the chemical societies in Africa. Its objective is to promote the advancement of chemical sciences and the practice of chemistry that could be instrumental to the fulfillment of the development aspirations and objectives of the people in Africa. FASC organizes its General Assembly every two years, rotating around the African continent. During the 7th edition held in Gaborone (Botswana) in
September 2019, the organization of the 9th edition was entrusted to Senegal, through SCC, the National Adhering Organization representing Senegal at FASC and at IUPAC. It was confirmed on December 2022 during the 8th Assembly General in Marrakech (Morocco) that the 9th General Assembly of FASC would be organized on 19-21 November 2024 in Dakar, in conjunction with the 6th Annual Days of Chemistry of Senegal.
Taking advantage of its membership to IUPAC, SCC applied for Endorsement and for Financial Support for Conferences in Scientifically Emerging Regions to cover the costs for contribution to the Conference program of an IUPAC lecturer and/or provide financial support for young scientists or advanced students from designated scientifically emerging regions. Both applications were approved by IUPAC Division I (Physical and Biophysical) during IUPAC 2023 in The Hague.
Africa is a continent with remarkable economic potential, yet the least developed. The continent contributes with just 2 % of world research output, accounts for only 1.3 % of research spending, and produces 0.1 % of all patents [1]. Studies have found that barriers to conducting research in Africa included shortage of training facilities, loss of interest or motivation to continue research, and only little collaboration between researchers in Africa as well as effective talent management.
The conference targets the challenges and issues. Ambitious researchers presented their scientific results, while the conference offered platforms for networking and knowledge sharing, as well as training on scientific research management. The aim of the conference was to show, through the various themes developed, how chemistry is at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development. This was an opportunity for African researchers and their peers to demonstrate the involvement of chemistry in all areas of life: health, energy, food, water, the environment, the economy, etc.
The following points summarize the specific aims of the conference:
• Facilitating connections and opportunities for collaboration between chemists within the continent.
• Bringing together Africa’s scientific, technological, and industrial communities.
• Fostering global collaboration and partnership in chemical research to enhance its quality and contribution to the achievement of the UN SDG.
• Supporting the communities to deliver solutions to global challengers in the areas of environment,
energy; food, health and water
• Helping IUPAC, ACS, RSC, FASC, etc. promote their activities.
• Exposing our Early Career Chemists to senior scientists.
• Introducing and creating mentor-mentee relationships with our Early Career Chemists.
Scope of participation
The conference was attended by 138 delegates representing about 20 countries. It can be seen from the distribution by country that 61 % of the communications were given by participants from the host country (Senegal), while Nigeria and South Africa follow with respectively 8 and 7 participants, respectively. These 3 countries are currently the 3 Africa representatives with National Adhering Organizations at IUPAC.
Many participants sent abstracts but couldn’t attend. These included participants from Algeria, Botswana; Kenya, Uganda, Mauritius, Mozambique and Ghana. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) provided support to the event and seven experts from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Tunisia could attend the event, among which were three plenary speakers.
Participation of emergent researchers
Beside the strong support from OPCW which covered the participation of seven senior experts in their fields of specialization, other partners of the conference supported the participation of emergent researchers through the continent. As a result, eight young chemists from Senegal and nine others from Gambia, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Nigeria benefited from scholarships offered by RSC and IUPAC, which covered their accommodation and conference participation costs, including
Some participants visiting the memorial island of Gorée. Here, in front of the Slaves House.
social events (gala dinner and excursion). It is worthwhile to note that the 2nd prize for best communication was awarded to an IUPAC grantee.
The conference programme encompassed 96 plenary and oral communications distributed into six topics and six “Technical talks.” 11 communications couldn’t be classified in the six topics and were categorized as Off-Topic communications. The breakdown for theses 102 presentations is shown in the figure below.
The inaugural conference was given by Ehud Keinan, IUPAC President, on the theme “Humanity faces a bright future, and so Chemistry.” T3—Chemistry of Water and Environment and T5—Chemistry and Health were the most popular themes, with 33 and 26 communications respectively. However, the frontier between the different topics is not hermetical and the scientific committee followed in most cases the preferences of the authors.
Only one communication dealt directly with T6—Chemical Safety and Security. However, many communications classified in T3 and T5 topics are related to the use of chemistry for a safe environment and to address health issues. It might be recommended that OPCW provides experts in the next FASC meeting foreseen in Kenya.
Slots for 6 “Technical Talks” were mainly allocated to sponsors to present their specific actions:
• Alejandra Palermo (RSC): Inclusion and diversity-focus on gender parity and disability in the chemical sciences
• Andrew Shore (RSC): Open Access and Open Science in Publishing
• Clifford Chuwah (Springer Nature, The Netherlands): Presentation of Chemistry Africa
• Shimaa Heikal (Elsevier): Elsevier solutions to help advancing chemistry education and chemistry research
• Veresha Dukhi (ACS International): About CAS and SCIFINDER
• Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen (EURAXESS Africa and Addis Ababa University): Unlocking Research Funding and Networking Opportunities in Horizon Europe through EURAXESS Worldwide Africa.
Lastly, 27 poster communications were presented in two sessions.
The National Water Company of Senegal (Société Nationale des Eaux du Sénégal, SONES) participated in the conference. Just after the plenary communication done by Courfia Kéba Diawara on the theme “Reverse Osmosis and scientific issues for seawater desalination in west Africa,” Ousmane Coulibaly, Hydraulic Engineer/Project Manager at SONES gave a presentation of the SONES Desalination Plant under construction in Dakar. He presented the technical configuration, relevance, area of influence and social impact. The seawater desalination plant will help meet the demand for water in Dakar, especially in localities
at the end of the network and with high topography. Discussions focused on infrastructure costs, financing and environmental impacts.
Various tangible outcomes arose from the conference. For instance:
African Chemists are aware of what is available in the continent in terms of research activities, facilities and specialization: through the plenary and some oral conferences given by African leading scientists in South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, etc., some ideas for joint research projects were put forward.
African Chemists increased their skills in fundraising: the talks of Yedilfana Setarge Mekonnen and of Alejandra Palermo informed the attendees about the opportunities offered by EURAXESS AFRICA on one hand, and on the solutions of RSC for inclusion and diversity in chemical sciences on the other hand.
Continental chemists have learnt more about green chemistry, sustainable materials for chemistry, the role of chemistry in solving societal, environmental and health issues, etc. As an example, green chemistry was addressed during 3 highlights. The two first ones were the talks of Shimaa Heikal, appointed by Elsevier (Unlocking a sustainable future with green
Prof. Matar Seck remitting to IUPAC President a gift.
chemistry approaches) and of Dogo Seck representing the National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal (Promoting Green chemistry in Africa for more Food Security and sustainable agriculture). There were also the presentation of the 13 principles for a greener Africa [2], based on the original 12 principles of green chemistry but that are more suited to the problems facing chemists and chemical engineers in Africa.
Emergent chemists are trained in publication. As a prelude of the conference, the Senegalese Committee for Chemistry, in partnership with Springer Nature, organized on 14 October 2024 a webinar on the procedures for publication in international journals. This first workshop in French would be followed after the conference by another one on the same subject but in English. During the conference, Andrew Shore, representative of RSC gave a Technical Talk on Open Science and Open Access in Publishing, while Clifford Chuwah from Springer Nature presented Chemistry Africa which is chosen to eventually publish articles stemming from or related to the conference.
Academic and social bonds are built or reinforced between African and international chemical societies and with individuals also. Many presidents of African national chemical societies signed the proclamation initiated by IUPAC President and stating that “The Governments should expand funding for basic chemical research.” [3] This proclamation was subsequently published in January 2025 and the signatures of African presidents on the proclamation are essential to enhance African visibility in the global chemistry arena. The IUPAC President plans to explore ways to help add more African chemical societies as regular members (National Adhering Organizations) of
A look at the various topics at the conferences reveals the top three topics were Green Chemistry, Chemistry of Water and Environment and Sustainable Materials of Chemistry.
IUPAC.
On another hand, the African Network of Electroanalytical Chemists (ANEC) and their partner, (International Science Programme of Uppsala University) could be presented during their communications by its President Emmanuel Ngameni and Executive Secretary Issa Tapsoba whose total participation costs were supported by OPCW. This aroused great interest among electrochemists who were well represented at the conference.
Promotional activities of chemical societies and publishers: RSC and Elsevier had exhibition space where they could welcome visitors, present their products and distribute prospects and diverse materials. Elsevier is ready to provide free trial access for Reaxys database to UCAD users and also for other institutions in Senegal. For their part, ACS offered to all a 50 % discount on the ACS membership fee and expressed a possibility of free trial access for SciFinder.
During the closing ceremony presided by Ismaila Diouf, dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of UCAD, the organizing committee awarded prizes to the presenting-authors of the two best oral communications and to the best poster. The prizes were composed of gifts and certificates.
• 1st Prize for the best oral communication: Dineo Elsie Moema, University of South Africa, Johannesburg: Supramolecular solvent-based liquid phase microextraction of sulphonamides in tomato juice followed by high performance liquid chromatographic: Assessment of the Greenness Profile Using Analytical Eco-scale, AGREE, and AGREEprep.
• 2nd Prize for the best oral communication: Seynabou Sokhna, Alioune Diop University of Bambey, Senegal: Evaluation of the anti-HIV activity of triazenes
• Prize for the best poster communication: Abdou Khadre Djily DIME Alioune Diop University, Bambey, Senegal: Regioselective Amination of Porphyrins via Ring-Opening of Electrogenerated Pyridiniums Precursors.
During the AGM, the new FASC Executive Office holders were announced:
• President: Hatem Ben Romdhane (Tunisia)
• Vice-President: Modou Fall (Senegal)
• Executive Treasurer: Vincent Nyamori (South Africa)
• Executive Secretary: Clarence Mgina (Tanzania)
• Past President: Gloria Obuzor (Nigeria)
Co-opted members
• Eastern Africa Representative: Yedilfana Mekonnen (Ethiopia)
• Southern Africa Representative: Lydia Rhyman (Mauritius)
• Western Africa Representative: David Chukwuebuka Ike (Nigeria)
• Northern Africa Representative: Ezzahi Amine (Morocco)
• FASC 2026 Conference host: Naumih Noah (Kenya)
• Afr. J. Chem. Ed (Editor): Temechegn Engida (Ethiopia)
• FASC Newsletter: Neil Coville (South Africa)
The next FASC GM and Conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in conjunction with the Kenya Chemical Society meeting in 2026, with Naumih Noah as the local organizing committee chair.
The social programme for the delegates included an evening dinner with wonderful entertainment provided by The Guissé Brothers, a group of Senegalese musicians. At the end of the conference, around thirty participants took part in the excursion to Gorée, a memorial island off the coast of Dakar.
Verbal recognition was expressed to all partners of the conference, and gifts were presented to those
represented at the conference:
• International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
• Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Chinese Chemical Society (CSC)
• UCAD: Rectorat; Doctoral School of Physics, Chemistry, Earth, Universe and Engineer Sciences (ED-PCSTUI) and Director of ENSMG; Senegal
• Senegalese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (ARP), Senegal
• National Quality Assurance Authority for Higher Education, Research and Innovation (ANAQSup), Senegal
• Elsevier
• African Center of Excellence for Environment, Health and Society (CEA-Agir), Senegal
• Federation of African Societies of Chemistry (FASC)
• Institut Supérieur d’Enseignement Professionnel (ISEP) of Diamniadio, Senegal
• National Water Company of Senegal (SONES), Senegal
• Amadou Mahtar Mbow University (UAM), Senegal
• SOACHIM/Senegal
• Mauritanian Chemical Society
• Director of UFR SATIC, UADB, Senegal
• Springer Nature
• National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal (ANSTS), Senegal
• La gazette du Laboratoire
References:
1. Simpkin, V., E. Namubiru-Mwaura, L. Clarke, and E. Mossialos. 2019. “Investing in Health R&D: Where we are, What Limits us, and how to Make Progress in Africa.” BMJ Glob of Health 2019 (4): e001047. https:// doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001047.
2. Asfaw, N., Chebude, Y., Ejigu, A., Hurisso, B.B.; Licenc,e P.; Smith, R.L, Tang, S.L.Y., Poliakoff; M. 2011. “The 13 Principles of Green Chemistry and Engineering for a Greener Africa” Green Chemistry 2011 (13) 10591060: https://doi.org/10.1039/C0GC00936A
3. See Presidents’ Forum webpage at https://iupac.org/ presidents-forum/ and proclamation first released 24 Jan 2025.
Senegalese Committee for Chemistry (CSC), PO Box 15756, Dakar, Senegal. https://csc.ucad.sn : csc@ucad.edu.sn
Announcements of conferences, symposia, workshops, meetings, and other upcoming activities
3–7 November 2025, Nicosia, Cyprus 1–9 August 2026 in Florence, Italy
6th Symposium of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR): Space Exploration 2025: A Symposium on Humanity’s Challenges and Celestial Solutions.
COSPAR 2025 will be held 3–7 November 2025, Nicosia, Cyprus, hosted by Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO)
Various sessions organized under the themes:
• Humanity’s Challenges and the Potential of Space
• Space as a Unifying Force: Fostering International Collaboration
• Space Tech for Earth and Beyond: Innovation, AI, and Sustainable Solutions
• The Ethics of Exploration: Responsible and
How NMR spectroscopy can tackle environmental problems?
Join the symposium to discover applications of solution-state NMR, solidstate NMR, low- fi eld portable NMR, and MRI to address problems in the environmental science and in the development of new materials for sustainability.
• Capacity Building, CubeSats and Outreach Event
Selected papers published in Advances in Space Research and Life Sciences in Space Research, fully refereed journals with no deadlines open to all submissions in relevant fields.
COSPAR 2026 will be 1–9 August 2026 in Florence, Italy, hosted by Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF).
The 46th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and Associated Events will cover multiple topics, including Approximately 150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions (SC), Panels, and Task Groups. Visit website for details.
Contact: COSPAR Secretariat, cospar@cosparhq.cnes.fr https://www.cospar-assembly.org/symposia (scientific program, abstract submission) https://cospar2025.org/ (registration, accommodation, etc.)
Spain
Marc-Antoine Sani Univ. of Melbourne, Australia Register to IUPAC 2025 and JOIN US! iupac2025.org
Organized by Green Science for Sustainable Development Foundation in Collaboration with Phosagro
7th-11th July 2025
Venice, Italy
Organizers:
Francesco Trotta Chairman
Fabio Aricò
Aurelia Visa
Mirabbos Hojamberdiev
Graziana Gigliuto Secretary
Topics:
Benign synthesis routes
Green catalysis
Alternative solvents
Renewable and green raw materials
Green chemistry for energy
Clean processes
Green Chemistry education
Sustainable Polymers
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Aula Gradoni, Santa Marta Dorsoduro 2137
Venice
Info: www.greenchemistry.school www.gssd-foundation.org
Contacts: postmaster@pec.gssd-foundation.org secretariat@gssd-foundation.org
Upcoming IUPAC-endorsed events
See also www.iupac.org/events
2025
3-5 Apr 2025 - Digital Data Standards Sustainability in the Chemical Sciences – Leipzig, Germany
DigSustain2 Workshop is by invitation only. Contact Leah McEwen (Chair of the IUPAC WorldFAIR Chemistry project), Cornell University: lrm1@cornell.edu https://transforming-chemistry.org/en/digital-data-standards-sustainability/
20-25 Apr 2025 - GreenChemAfrica – Benguerir, Morocco
African Training School on Green Chemistry and Environmental Sustainability - 2nd edition
Contact: Youssef Habibi <Youssef.habibi@um6p.ma>, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Benguerir https://susmat.um6p.ma/greenchemafrica-2025/
10-13 June 2025 - Sustainable Chemistry for Net Zero - St Andrews, United Kingdom International Conference on Sustainable Chemistry for Net Zero Co-Chairs: Amit Kumar and David Cole-Hamilton, University of St. Andrews, icscnz@st-andrews.ac.uk, https://icsc-nz.com/
22-27 June 2025 - Polymers for a Sustainable Future - Groningen, Netherlands European Polymer Congress 2025 (EPF 2025)
Contact: Katja Loos, EPF 2025 Chair, University of Groningen, epf@congressbydesign.com, https://www.epf2025.org/
13-18 Jul 2025 - IUPAC World Chemistry Congress 2025 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://iupac2025.org/
20-24 Jul 2025- Chemical Thermodynamics - Porto, Portugal 27th International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics
Contact: Luis M.N.B.F. Santos, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Porto, E-mail: lbsantos@fc.up.pt, icct2025@chemistry.pt • https://icct2025.events.chemistry.pt/
11-15 Aug 2025 - Chemistry and its Applications - Virtual Empowering Interdisciplinary Research to Unlock Innovative Solutions, the Virtual Conference on Chemistry and its Applications (VCCA-2025)
Contact: Ponnadurai Ramasami, E-mail: vccamru@uom.ac.mu https://sites.google.com/uom.ac.mu/vcca-2025
24-28 Aug 2025 - Chemistry of Natural Products and Biodiversity - Sydney, Australia 32nd International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Products and 12th International Congress on Biodiversity (ISCNP32 & ICOB12)
Contact: Luke Hunter, l.hunter@unsw.edu.au, Chair of the Program Committee, School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Kensington, Australia • https://www.iscnp32-icob12.org/
24-28 Aug 2025 - Fast Ionic Transport Systems – Prague, Czech Republic 86th Prague Meeting on Macromolecules – Fast Ionic Transport Systems Program co-chairs: Sabina Abbrent abbrent@imc.cas.cz, Jiří Brus, brus@imc.cas.cz, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences • https://www.imc.cas.cz/sympo/86pmm/
1 - 5 Sep 2025 - Organometallic Catalysis Directed Towards Organic Synthesis - Kyoto, Japan
22th International Symposium on Organometallic Catalysis Directed Towards Organic Synthesis (OMCOS) Co-chairs: Hideki Yorimitsu yori@kuchem.kyoto-u.ac.jp, Department of Chemistry and Michinori Suginome suginome@sbchem.kyoto-u.ac.jp, Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Kyoto University • https://omcos22.org/
1-5 Sep 2025 - Polymeric materials meet nanobiotechnology - Reduit, Mauritius POLY-CHAR [Mauritius] 2025
Contact: Conference Secretary: Prakash Caumul, Department of Chemistry, p.caumul@uom.ac.mu, Itisha Chummun Phul, CBBR, polychar-2025@uom.ac.mu, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius, www tba 14-17 Sep 2025 – Solution Chemistry - Monastir, Tunisia
39th International Conference on Solution Chemistry
Contact: Jalel Mhalla, Chair of Program Committee, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia jalel.mhalla@fsm.rnu.tn, http://www.sctunisie.org/icsc2025/
ADVANCING THE WORLDWIDE ROLE OF CHEMISTRY FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is the global organization that provides objective scientific expertise and develops the essential tools for the application and communication of chemical knowledge for the benefit of humankind and the world. IUPAC accomplishes its mission by fostering sustainable development, providing a common language for chemistry, and advocating the free exchange of scientific information. In fulfilling this mission, IUPAC effectively contributes to the worldwide understanding and application of the chemical sciences, to the betterment of humankind.
Australian Academy of Science (Australia)
Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Austria)
Bangladesh Chemical Society (Bangladesh)
The Royal Academies for the Sciences and Arts of Belgium (Belgium)
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Bulgaria)
National Research Council of Canada (Canada)
Sociedad Chilena de Química (Chile)
Chinese Chemical Society (China)
Chemical Society located in Taipei (China)
LANOTEC-CENAT, National Nanotechnology Laboratory (Costa Rica)
Croatian Chemical Society (Croatia)
Czech National Committee for Chemistry (Czech Republic)
Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab (Denmark)
Finnish Chemical Society (Finland)
Comité National Français de la Chimie (France)
Deutscher Zentralausschuss für Chemie (Germany)
Association of Greek Chemists (Greece)
National Autonomous University of Honduras (Honduras)
Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Hungary)
Indian National Science Academy (India)
Royal Irish Academy (Ireland)
Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities (Israel)
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy)
Caribbean Academy of Sciences—Jamaica (Jamaica)
President
Prof. Ehud Keinan, Israel
Vice President
Prof. Mary Garson, Australia
Past President
Prof. Javier García Martínez, Spain
Secretary General
Dr. Zoltán Mester, Canada
Treasurer Dr. Wolfram Koch, Germany
Science Council of Japan (Japan)
Jordanian Chemical Society (Jordan)
B.A. Beremzhanov Kazakhstan Chemical Society (Kazakhstan)
Korean Chemical Society (Korea)
Kuwait Chemical Society (Kuwait)
Institut Kimia Malaysia (Malaysia)
Nepal Polymer Institute (Nepal)
Koninklijke Nederlandse Chemische Vereniging (Netherlands)
Royal Society of New Zealand (New Zealand)
Chemical Society of Nigeria (Nigeria)
Norsk Kjemisk Selskap (Norway)
Polska Akademia Nauk (Poland)
Sociedade Portuguesa de Química (Portugal)
Colegio de Químicos de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)
Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia)
Comité Sénégalais pour la Chimie (Sénégal)
Serbian Chemical Society (Serbia)
Slovak National Committee of Chemistry for IUPAC (Slovakia)
Slovenian Chemical Society (Slovenia)
National Research Foundation (South Africa)
Real Sociedad Española de Quimíca (Spain)
Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Svenska Nationalkommittén för Kemi (Sweden)
Swiss Academy of Sciences (Switzerland)
Department of Science Service (Thailand)
Türkiye Kimya Dernegi (Türkiye)
Royal Society of Chemistry (United Kingdom)
National Academy of Sciences (USA)
PEDECIBA Química (Uruguay)
Version last udpated 1 December 2024
