Three Chemistry Europe Council Members Retiring

After many years of the representing Chemistry Europe and its predecessors, three Presidents are retiring. In this Guest Editorial, their Council colleague, Wolfram Koch, looks back on contributions to European science publishing. This Editorial is a homage most prominent important protagonists who contributed significantly what Europe, group 16 chemical societies which publish Chemistry—A Journal more journals, today (more come!): Professor Luis A. Oro Giral (University Zaragoza), Christian Amatore (École Normale Supérieure, Paris) Francesco (Franco) De Angelis L'Aquila). valuable service predecessor organizations Profs. retired from functions as last year, Prof. has announced his retirement President effective at 2021 annual meeting scheduled for fall year in Madrid (if Corona allows). It all began than quarter century ago when Nobel Laureate Jean-Marie Lehn, late Heinrich Nöth, then German Chemical Society (GDCh), Eva Wille Peter Gölitz publisher VCH (now Wiley-VCH), Heindirk tom Dieck, GDCh Secretary General, laid foundation first true chemistry journal, consequently was named (launched 1995) you have your screen right now. that followed new journals were established, such Organic Chemistry, Inorganic ChemPhysChem ChemBioChem number participating joint endeavour increased continuously. By pan-European initiative, carried by partnership with our Wiley-VCH based Weinheim, Germany, publishing landscape changed significantly. The national partner had published before, but whose impact relevance rather small diminishing, amalgamated into these quickly became major players respective fields. Oro, Franco involved development organization behind them, namely (formerly EUChemSoc, ChemPubSoc Europe) very early. All them served various journals’ partnerships. particular Luis, Real Sociedad Española de Química 2000—2005 (Figure 1), played pivotal role beginning shaped success unique way. Since 2002 he EurJIC, EurJOC ChemCatChem (his successor Pedro Perez, University Huelva). As Dr. Wille, long-time key remembers: “As an experienced mountain climber (who difficult passage after him) recently said me: ‘We climbed professional form whole family journals.’ great credit brought Spanish community venture 1997/1998. fought tirelessly high quality Europe; often point weak spots, did not shy away drilling thick boards”. (with E. Koch), cutting cake. 2) also end millennium particularly instrumental launching securing support Société Chimique France (then Française Chimie). He elected 2004 subsequently ChemElectroChem Batteries & Supercaps being succeeded Gilberte Chambaud, Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée Past SCF). Gölitz, Editor-in-Chief architect portfolio notes: “Christian extremely strong supporter project early discussions 1997, steadfast position SFC Division Physical decisive start 2000”. Wille. 3), former Societá Chimica Italiana, one main drivers lay foundations Journals ChemMedChem ChemSusChem SCI Il Farmaco Annali di 2006 (after Franco's Gianluca Farinola, Bari currently Chair EuChemS will take over). “Since officially joined 2004—I vividly remember appearance Lisbon year—he supported utmost openness skilful diplomacy. His successful transformation cannot be overestimated. To Italian agree those traditional everything easy, succeeded”. During Presidential College (the fourth member me) prime contact editorial teams Weinheim strategic issues and, together colleagues, prepared owners’ meetings. Vera Köster, ChemistryViews. 2017 newly formed replaced 4). addition four owner do representative. initially held Lene Hviid Jan-Willem Toering, both Dutch Koninklijke Nederlandse Chemische Vereniging. now meets monthly basis representatives discuss shape journals. Meeting Paris 2019: Left (Wiley-VCH if indicated otherwise): Karen Hindson, Haymo Ross, Josefa Fernandez, (KNCV), (SCF), (RSEQ), Koch (SCI), Guido F. Herrmann, name indicates, initiative maintains connection (which active publications itself). 2019, formally Supporting Member EuChemS. But ties personal basis: 2008–2011 longstanding Executive Board (2010–2017), including treasurer two terms. received Award Service 2014 2018, respectively. (I am too, since 1999). underlines another aspect stands for: strengthen cooperation within only publishing, general. One can certainly state been, still is, catalyst improve collaboration societies, leading much closer relationship. esteemed highly respected colleagues friends mine—Luis Amatore, Angelis—belong made happen. grateful chemists—who recognized “Chemistry Honorary Fellows” 2015—have done develop safeguard activities I confident happy we able count advice future well. Director helpful input P. gratefully acknowledged.