Pure and Applied Chemistry

It is well known that chemistry plays a key role in societal upliftment. The pursuit of improved quality of life for present and future generations provides the impetus to bring innovative chemistry to bear upon the creation and development of novel materials. Thus, it was deemed fitting and timely to launch a new initiative as the 1st International Symposium on Novel Materials and their Synthesis (NMS-1), which was held jointly with the 15th International Symposium on Fine Chemistry and Functional Polymers (FCFP-XV). This event was organized in Shanghai on 17-20 October 2005 by Fudan University to celebrate its Centennial Anniversary. The National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, and the Shanghai Society of Chemistry and Chemical Industry provided valuable support. The Symposium was carried out under the auspices of IUPAC.

The main objectives of the Symposium were to present state-of-the-art synthesis and preparation of novel materials, and to discuss their performance and applications potential. The breadth of these themes offered scope to disseminate novel ideas and findings within a multidisciplinary scientific community. At the same time, the event provided a forum for the exchange of updated knowledge and experience in the research and development communities, and with authorities and industry, as well as giving newcomers the opportunity to meet with international authorities in specialized fields. Finally, it was hoped that visitors would use the occasion to learn something about Fudan University, Shanghai, and China.

The Symposium was attended by 188 delegates from 29 countries and areas. Among them, 117 were from overseas. The scientific program comprised 116 lectures and 35 posters, and was characterized by detailed and lively discussion of the four main themes:

- innovative catalytic and other synthetic methods, including chiral and asymmetrical synthesis

- innovative polymer materials, including conducting, semiconducting, opto-electronic, and biobased polymers, their properties, and characteristics

- energy materials, including fuel cells, solar cells, lithium batteries, and supercapacitors

- other novel materials, including drugs, perfumes, agricultural chemicals, electrical materials, photosensitive materials, displaying materials, and fine ceramics and their preparation

The program served to emphasize that novel materials and their synthesis are dynamic research areas that are attracting growing interest from researchers, engineers, industries, and governments. Furthermore, novel materials continue to find applications that serve the needs and interests of consumers. A selection of eight papers based upon invited presentations to FCFP-15/NMS-1 is published in this issue, and demonstrates the quality and scope of the Symposium themes.

During the Symposium, it was recognized that it would be highly desirable to provide an ongoing forum for scientific exchange in this important field, and it was recommended that it should be continued and regularized. Future Symposia in this series will be hosted by Fudan University in Shanghai during odd years, and will be held in other countries or regions during even years.

Yuping Wu

Conference Editor