Announcements
24 February 2026
Chemistry | Editor’s Choice Articles by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Igor Alabugin
Chemistry is delighted to introduce our Editor’s Choice collection! Chemistry Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by our (Section) Editor-in-Chief and Section Editorial Board Members. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.
This month, we have a selection of recent Chemistry articles chosen by our Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Igor Alabugin.
Meet the Editor-in-Chief:
Prof. Dr. Alabugin's favorite articles:
“Lost Data in Electron Microscopy”
by Nina M. Ivanova, Alexey S. Kashin and Valentine P. Ananikov
Chemistry 2025, 7(5), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry7050160
From a broader perspective, the work introduces a broader and timely concept of “lost data” in experimental science. The article highlights a general challenge in contemporary, instrument-intensive science and provides a timely perspective on how data management practices influence what knowledge is ultimately extracted from experiments. It highlights how current publication and data-handling practices limit reuse, reproducibility, and discovery, while simultaneously pointing to opportunities enabled by improved data policies and artificial intelligence-driven analysis. The study is notable for its rigor, scale, and relevance across chemistry, materials science, catalysis, and nanotechnology, making it particularly well suited for highlighting in Chemistry as both a cautionary and forward-looking contribution.”
“Energetic Preferences in Cyclic π-Conjugated Systems: Aromaticity Localizes and Antiaromaticity Spreads Miquel Solà and Luigi Cavallo”
by Miquel Solà and Luigi Cavallo
Chemistry 2026, 8(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry8010007
The authors revisit classical annulenes through the lens of aromatic stabilization energies and bond-length alternation, showing that the energetic signature of aromaticity diminishes as rings grow larger, even when diatropic currents persist. Case studies ranging from cyclo[18]carbon to porphyrins elegantly illustrate how simple hydrocarbon or heterocyclic architectures encode surprisingly subtle electronic behavior. Particularly striking is the notion that extended π-systems may sustain magnetic aromaticity while being energetically almost nonaromatic—a reminder that aromaticity is not a single property but a multifaceted phenomenon.
Beyond the specific systems discussed, this contribution highlights a broader conceptual lesson: electrons seek stability by localizing aromatic sextets while dispersing antiaromatic strain. By framing aromaticity as a spatially adaptive phenomenon rather than a static rule, the article provides a fresh perspective that will resonate with chemists designing large π-conjugated frameworks, macrocycles, and functional carbon architectures.”
“Throwing Light on -O–O- Bond: Organic Peroxides in Visible-Light Photocatalysis”
by Diana V. Shuingalieva, Damir D. Karachev, Ksenia V. Skokova, Ivan M. Prosvetov, Dmitri I. Fomenkov, Vera A. Vil’ and Alexander O. Terent’ev
Chemistry 2026, 8(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry8020020
“ Photochemistry continues to reshape synthetic strategy by merging radical reactivity with the precision of catalytic control. In this Editor’s Choice review, Shuingalieva, Terent’ev, Vil’, and co-workers highlight the remarkable versatility of organic peroxides in visible-light photocatalysis, showing how a single weak O–O bond can unlock diverse radical pathways under mild conditions. What makes this topic particularly appealing is the conceptual elegance of these deceptively simple molecules: compact architectures that translate light into selective chemical reactivity.
The review maps the evolution of peroxide chemistry from early photolysis studies to modern photoredox systems, emphasizing how single-electron transfer processes generate both oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals. These intermediates enable hydrogen atom transfer, bond-forming cascades, and late-stage functionalization strategies that would be difficult to achieve through classical polar chemistry alone. By framing organic peroxides as radical precursors, oxidants, and nucleophiles, the authors reveal how subtle changes in photocatalyst energetics can switch between oxidative and reductive quenching pathways, providing a versatile toolbox for synthetic design.
Beyond cataloguing transformations, the review underscores a broader message: the simplicity of peroxide structures masks a deep mechanistic richness. Visible-light excitation transforms these familiar reagents into programmable radical sources, enabling selective functionalization of complex molecules and unactivated C–H bonds. By combining historical perspective with emerging trends—including organic photocatalysts and energy-transfer pathways—the authors provide a timely snapshot of a rapidly expanding area at the interface of photochemistry, radical chemistry, and sustainable synthesis.”
“Tetraanion of Tetracyclopentatetraphenylene Derivative: Global Versus Local Conjugation Modes”
by Hirokazu Miyoshi, Ryosuke Sugiura, Ryohei Kishi, Atsuya Muranaka, Masanobu Uchiyama, Nagao Kobayashi, Yutaka Ie, Masayoshi Nakano and Yoshito Tobe
Chemistry 2025, 7(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemistry7020051
“Few classes of molecules capture the intellectual beauty of chemistry as vividly as symmetric π-conjugated hydrocarbons. In this Editor’s Choice article, Miyoshi and co-workers present a striking example: a tetracyclopentatetraphenylene tetraanion whose architecture is both visually beautiful and conceptually rich, illustrating the simple elegance achievable with purely hydrocarbon-based frameworks.
At first glance, adding electrons to a conjugated system may seem like a straightforward extension of aromaticity rules. Yet this work reminds us that extra electrons can reshape conjugation in unexpected ways. Exhaustive reduction generates a rare 32-π-electron tetra-anion that balances global delocalization with local resonance stabilization. Spectroscopy and theory converge to reveal an “annulene-within-an-annulene” electronic structure accompanied by counter-rotating ring currents—a vivid demonstration that aromaticity is not a static label but an emergent property of electron count, topology, and orbital symmetry.
What makes this study particularly compelling is how structural simplicity enables conceptual depth. The authors show that even highly symmetric hydrocarbon scaffolds can host multiple competing conjugation modes, blurring the line between global aromaticity and localized cyclopentadienide characteristics. Such systems provide powerful platforms for testing fundamental ideas about π-electron delocalization while pointing toward redox-responsive molecular materials and switchable electronic architectures.”
We hope you enjoyed reading these articles. Keep an eye out for more of our Editors’ Choice Articles in the future.
24 July 2026
Meet Us at the 21st National Youth Congress on Catalysis, 23–26 August 2026, Hohhot, China
23 July 2026
Meet Us at the 15th National Conference on Analytical Chemistry, 18–21 September 2026, Changsha, China
16 July 2026
Meet Us at the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS) Fall Meeting 2026, 27–28 August 2026, Bern, Switzerland
9 July 2026
Meet Us at ACS Fall 2026, 23–27 August 2026, Chicago, IL, USA
9 July 2026
Meet Us at the 18th National Conference on Bioinorganic Chemistry of the Chinese Chemical Society & Symposium on Metallochemical Biology, 3–6 August 2026, Beijing, China
8 July 2026
MDPI’s Newly Launched Journals in June 2026
Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In June 2026, eleven new journals released their inaugural issues and two transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of environmental & earth sciences, chemistry & materials science, public health & healthcare, engineering, medicine & pharmacology, and biology & life sciences.
We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, enabling impactful open access scholarship.
Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.
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Prof. Dr. Xiaochuan Pan, Peking University, China |
public health research, practice, policy, and education; eco-health equity | |
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Prof. Dr. Xin-Gao Gong Fudan University, China; Prof. Dr. Zhimei Sun Beihang University, China |
AI-enhanced theory & simulation; generative design & discovery; autonomous experimentation; AI for characterization; large language models and agents | |
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Prof. Dr. Yong Liu, Wuhan University, China |
hydropower technology; renewable energy; water resources; optimization; rock and soil mechanics; power system stability | |
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Prof. Dr. Giovanni Rezza, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Italy |
pandemic preparedness; public health; global outbreak dynamics and epidemiology; outbreak prediction and risk forecasting; one health approach; zoonotic and pre-pandemic vaccines | |
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Prof. Dr. Brian Horton, University of Texas at Austin, USA |
stratigraphy; sedimentology; earth surface processes; basin evolution and tectonics; climate and paleoclimate | |
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Prof. Dr. Yike Guo, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China |
artificial intelligence (AI); application of AI to engineering; Explainable AI (XAI); AI-driven design and optimization; AI for manufacturing and automation | view journal scope | submit an article |
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Prof. Dr. Hei Wong, City University of Hong Kong, China |
novel semiconductor materials; advanced heterogeneous integration technologies; advanced characterization and testing techniques; heterogeneously integrated systems and applications; modeling and design automation| |
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Prof. Dr. Michail Panagiotidis, Mississippi State University, USA |
plant-based medicines; natural products-based drug discovery; plant-based bioactive compounds; pharmacognosy; phytochemicals; pharmacokinetics | |
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Prof. Dr. Khalid Meksem, Southern Illinois University, USA |
genome biotechnology; applied genomics; genetic engineering; agricultural biotechnology; medical biotechnology; data science and AI| |
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Dr. Chenxi Wu, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China |
environmental cleanup; ecological restoration; environmental management and governance; environmental modeling and monitoring | |
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Prof. Dr. Janusz Kozinski, Lakehead University, Canada |
renewable energy; sustainable agriculture; green innovation; climate change; artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability | |
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Transferred Journals |
Editor(s)-in-Chief |
Journal Topics (Selected) |
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Prof. Dr. Thomas Frese, Martin-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany |
health services in primary care; integrated care models; quality and safety of care; coordination across primary and secondary care services; patient management; primary care clinical practice and interventions; clinical interventions delivered in primary care settings; |
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Prof. Dr. Paul Gerson Unschuld, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Switzerland |
neurology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and the neurosciences | |
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).
8 July 2026
Honoring the Top 1000 Reviewers for 2025
2 July 2026
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO’s Letter #36 – Basel Anniversary Summit, 2025 Impact Factors & CiteScores, CSAL Partnership & ncRNA2026
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Reflections from the MDPI 30th Anniversary Summit in Basel
On 4 June, we welcomed 30 Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) from across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific to A 66, MDPI’s former headquarters in Basel, for our 30th Anniversary Summit.
In the middle of the year that we celebrate 30 years since MDPI’s founding in 1996, the Summit provided an opportunity to reflect on our journey and recognize the academic community that has helped shape MDPI over the past three decades.
Designed as a small invitation-only event, the Summit brought together long-standing editorial leaders whose experience and perspectives continue to shape our journals. Throughout the day, one message emerged consistently: strong journals are built together, through partnership between publishers, editors, reviewers, and researchers.
MDPI at 30
During my opening presentation, I reflected on MDPI’s evolution from a single journal (Molecules) to a global Open Access (OA) publisher supporting more than 500 peer-reviewed journals, thousands of editors, and millions of researchers worldwide.
While our growth has been significant, our purpose remains unchanged: to help researchers communicate their work openly, efficiently, and responsibly.
I also took the opportunity to recognize that MDPI’s success has never been achieved alone. It has been built alongside our EiCs, Editorial Board Members, reviewers, authors, institutional partners, and colleagues around the world.
Agenda
The agenda combined moments for reflection, discussion, and direct engagement with our guests. The event was moderated by Damaris Critchlow (Editorial Engagement Manager, MDPI) and the program focused on dialogue rather than presentations alone, combining expert talks, panel discussions, and open forums covering:
- MDPI at 30: reflections and the road ahead
- Research integrity and editorial responsibility
- Partnerships and collaboration in publishing
- Editorial leadership and journal development
- Artificial intelligence and the future of scholarly publishing
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Research Integrity and Editorial Responsibility
A key theme throughout the summit was the continued importance of research integrity and editorial independence. Tim Tait-Jamieson provided an overview of MDPI’s approach to publication ethics, emerging industry challenges, and ongoing investments in prevention, detection, and post-publication oversight. This was a key topic, as it created discussions on the evolving role of publishers, editors, and institutions in safeguarding the scientific record while maintaining transparency and trust.
Editors Panel: Building Journals and Communities
The EiC panel focused on the role of editorial leadership in developing journals and academic communities. Discussions highlighted the importance of active editorial boards, constructive peer review, community engagement, and maintaining quality as scholarly publishing continues to evolve. Thank you to our panelists: Dr. Ester Ballana (Viruses), Dr. Dilantha Fernando (Plants), and Dr. Ting Chi (Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research).
MDPI Panel: The Future of Scholarly Publishing
We also had a roundtable discussion on the future of scholarly publishing. Topics included:
- Artificial intelligence and its role in publishing workflows
- Technology and innovation in scholarly communication
- Research integrity and quality assurance
- The future of peer review
- Open Access and Open Science
- The evolving expectations of researchers, institutions, and funders
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Recognizing Editorial Leadership
A highlight of the Summit was recognizing EiCs whose long-term leadership has helped strengthen both their journals and their research communities.
Through the Decade of Editorial Leadership Award and the Outstanding Editorial Impact Award, we celebrated individuals whose dedication has made a lasting contribution to scientific publishing.
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As we look ahead to MDPI’s next chapter, partnerships with our editors and the wider academic community will remain central to everything we do.
Thank You
My sincere thanks to everyone who participated, and to the many colleagues whose planning and commitment made the Summit such a memorable event.
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Impactful Research
2025 Impact Factors Released
June marked another important milestone, with the release of the 2025 Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
Learn more: https://www.mdpi.com/about/announcements/17055
This year:
- 330 MDPI journals received a Journal Impact Factor
- 254 journals increased their Impact Factor
- 29 journals received their first Journal Impact Factor
- 71% of ranked journals are now positioned in Q1 or Q2
- MDPI publications have now accumulated 25 million citations
While journal metrics should never be viewed as the sole measure of research quality, they remain an important indicator of journal visibility, community engagement, and scientific influence.
These achievements reflect the collective work of our Editors-in-Chief, Editorial Board Members, reviewers, authors, Publishing teams, and everyone involved in developing our journals.
Congratulations to every journal team that contributed to these results.
Inside MDPI
MDPI Journals Receive 2025 CiteScores
In June, Scopus published the 2025 CiteScores, providing another positive indication of the continued development of MDPI journals.
You can find more details about the 2025 CiteScore release here: Open Access, Broadly Recognized: 363 MDPI Journals Receive CiteScores for 2025
This year’s highlights include:
- 363 journals received a CiteScore
- 41 journals received a CiteScore for the first time
- 314 journals (86%) rank in Q1 or Q2
- 42 journals are now within the top 10% of their subject categories
Although no single metric defines journal quality, these results demonstrate the continued recognition and visibility of our journals across many research disciplines.
Particularly encouraging is the growing number of journals receiving their first CiteScore, reflecting years of sustained editorial development, successful indexing, and close collaboration between our Publishing teams, Indexing team, editors, and academic communities.
Thank you to everyone across MDPI whose daily work contributes to these achievements.
Coming Together for Science
Supporting Open Access in Switzerland: MDPI Renews Agreement with CSAL
I am pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its Open Access (OA) publishing agreement with the Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries (CSAL), extending support for researchers across 24 Swiss institutions through our Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP).
As a Swiss-founded publisher, we are particularly proud to continue supporting Switzerland’s research community through long-term institutional partnerships that improve accessibility to Open Access publishing.
The renewal also coincides with the release of our 2025 Switzerland Country Report, highlighting continued national leadership in Open Science. Between 2021 and 2025, Switzerland maintained an OA publication rate of approximately 65–70%, while more than 14,000 Switzerland-affiliated papers have been published with MDPI since 2021.
“We are particularly proud to continue supporting Switzerland’s research community”
The announcement also received coverage across several leading international publishing and research news platforms, including STM, Research Information, EurekAlert!, Bytes Europe, and EdTech Innovation Hub, helping increase visibility for both the partnership and the broader discussion around OA.
My thanks to our IOAP, External Affairs, Communications, and Publishing teams, whose work continues to strengthen relationships with institutions around the world.
Closing Thoughts
Highlights from MDPI Conference ncRNA2026 in Leuven, Belgium (24–26 June)
From 24–26 June, MDPI hosted the ncRNA2026: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Impact Conference in Leuven, Belgium.
The conference welcomed 125 participants from 22 countries and territories, providing an international forum for exchange across molecular biology, medicine, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and translational research.
Bringing the Global Research Community Together
Over three days, participants exchanged ideas through:
- 4 Chair Talks
- 8 Invited Lectures
- 29 Selected Oral Presentations
- 51 Poster Presentations
Sessions covered topics including molecular biology, clinical applications, artificial intelligence, and emerging non-coding RNA research, creating a dynamic forum for scientific exchange.
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Beyond the scientific program, the conference created opportunities for researchers, journal teams, sponsors, and academic partners to exchange ideas, build existing relationships, and create new collaborations across the global research community.
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Our thanks to Conference Chairs Professors George Calin, Manuela Ferracin, Eleonora Leucci, and Isidore Rigoutsos, together with the invited speakers, for delivering an outstanding scientific program.
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“By creating opportunities for researchers to exchange ideas, we continue to support the advancement of research worldwide”
Recognizing the Team
The conference also took place during an exceptional heatwave in Belgium, with temperatures reaching 38°C. Thanks to the excellent planning by the Conference team and collaboration with the venue, additional cooling measures and attendee support ensured that the event ran safely and successfully despite challenging conditions.
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It is often these behind-the-scenes efforts that make the greatest difference to the participant experience. Thank you to everyone involved for your professionalism, flexibility, and commitment throughout the event.
Thank You
My sincere thanks to the Conference Chairs, invited speakers, sponsors, Editorial Office, Conference team, Marketing colleagues, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making ncRNA2026 such a success.
As MDPI celebrates its 30th anniversary, events such as ncRNA2026 remind us that our contribution extends well beyond publishing journals. By creating opportunities for researchers to exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and build scientific communities, we continue to support the advancement of research worldwide.
Thank you for your continued dedication throughout another busy month, and I wish you all an enjoyable July!
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
30 June 2026
MDPI Open Science Insights: Academic Publishing Workshop at the XVIII International Postgraduate Summer School on Green Chemistry (GCSS 2026), 8 July 2026
In collaboration with the Green Science for Sustainable Development Foundation, Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360), Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) and Chemistry (ISSN 2624-8549) are jointly hosting an academic publishing workshop designed to educate attendees on MDPI's paper publication process and the ecosystem surrounding open access publishing. The session will cover an introduction to not only Polymers, Molecules and Chemistry, but MDPI journals as a collective, delving into the editorial process to provide valuable insights and sharing essential skills for structuring papers. Additionally, participants will be instructed on methods to improve their scientific writing, with our expert speakers leading the way to ensure that attendees gain a thorough understanding of how to improve their work.
Date: 8 July 2026
Time: 14:30–15:00 CEST
Venue: Camplus Santa Marta Venice, Venice, Italy
Schedule:
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Time |
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Prof. Dr. Francesco Trotta (Chair) |
Opening Remarks |
14:30–14:35 |
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Dr. Haewon Song |
Scientific Writing Overview
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14:35–14:55 |
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Dr. Lucía Gallego Aibar |
Peer-Review and Editorial Processes
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Q&A Session |
14:55–15:00 |
Chair and Speakers:
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Chair |
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Prof. Dr. Francesco Trotta is a Full Professor of industrial chemistry at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turin. From 2001 to 2015 he also was associate researcher to the Institute of Membrane Technology, National Research Council. He was a Visiting Professor in 2015 at Ian Duglosz University in Czestochowa (Poland). He was member of the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), president of the National Association of Chemistry and Technology of Cyclodextrins. (CD.TE.C) and vice president of the European Cyclodextrin Society. He is also part of the Italian Scientific Society (ISA) and cofounder of Green Sciences for Sustainable Development Foundation (Venice). He is a member of the Editorial Boards of Polymers, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences. |
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Dr. Haewon Song has a research background in organic chemistry and chemical biology. She obtained her chemistry degree from the University of Oxford and gained further research experience at a DNA synthesis company. In 2015, she moved to Switzerland to pursue a PhD at ETH Zurich. After completing her doctorate, she joined MDPI, where she currently works as the Senior Deputy Managing Editor for Molecules and Chemistry. |
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Dr. Lucía Gallego Aibar has a research background in organic chemistry and supramolecular polymers. She holds a chemistry degree from the University of Zaragoza, a master’s degree in organic chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid and a PhD from the University of Zurich. She joined MDPI in 2024, where she currently works as Deputy Managing Editor for Polymers. |
