New Directions in Industrial Chemical Research as Reflected in Angewandte Chemie

摘要

Chemical research is now more than ever driven by the issue of how to secure the natural foundations of life for a growing world population. For the great chemists, from Justus Liebig through Carl Bosch and Fritz Haber to the leading researchers of our time, applying scientific knowledge for the benefit of society has always been the prime concern. With its growing complexity and the necessary cross-linking of its disciplines, the profile of chemical sciences has changed radically over the last few decades: whereas originally, individual molecules were the focus of research activity, emphasis has now shifted to intelligent chemistry in the form of holistic systems aimed at finding solutions to securing food, water, and energy supplies as well as maintaining quality of life. How we—academia and industry—find sustainable answers depends not least on the quality of the scientific dialogue, supremely well documented and repeatedly revitalized by the scientific journal Angewandte Chemie for 125 years. Like almost no other scientific journal in chemistry worldwide, it vouches for the quality and scientific relevance of the articles and, by functioning as an "early warning system", has accompanied the major social challenges and scientific developments, from the Haber Bosch process to the discovery of graphene and its potential applications. To mark its anniversary, we will take a look at the future topics of chemical science and solutions "from chemicals to chemistry".