Research Papers from the 21^st International Conference on Phosphorus Chemistry (ICPC-21)

The 21^st International Conference on Phosphorus Chemistry (ICPC-21; ICPC-2016) took place 5–10 June 2016, in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. ICPCs are typically organized biannually in the world’s largest scientific centers. This is the latest in a series of highly successful meetings that brings researchers and teachers from the phosphorus chemistry community together. Since the first ICPC, which took place in 1964 in Germany, these conferences have played an important role in the development of phosphorus chemistry. ICPCs are often endorsed by IUPAC because of their outstanding scientific level and international importance.

The decision of the IUPAC Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division (Division III) to support ICPC-21 was based on two principle arguments in favor of Tatarstan and its capital Kazan. First, this region is known worldwide in the chemical community because of the many eminent researchers belonging to the renowned Kazan school of chemists. This school is one of the world leaders in the number of discovered named reactions and fundamental chemical approaches. The Kazan school of chemistry was established in the first half of 19^th century by Professors Klaus and Zinin and was continued by the great Butlerov, followed by Markovnikov, Zaytsev, Vagner, and Reformatsky. The second reason is the regional excellence of Tatarstan with regard to the level of its chemical and petrochemical industries. They are of priority for regional development and it is not surprising that the government, and personally The President Minnikhanov, have provided support to make this conference successful and productive. Specifically, it should be mentioned that the chemical companies of Tatarstan meet the requirements of IUPAC’s “Responsible Care” initiative, aimed at promoting an understanding of chemists’ responsibility in using, handling, and producing chemicals. One of the leaders in this field is PJSC “Nizhnekamskneftekhim”. Local companies intend to join as Company Associates of IUPAC for the exchange of information regarding current issues of relevance to Chemistry and Industry relationships.

The main objective of the conference was to find new prospects for the development of phosphorus chemistry both in fundamental and application areas, as well as training a new generation of researchers for innovative approaches to develop new substances and materials, computer modeling of their properties, effective “green” technologies for the production of phosphorus compounds. Also, the very important goal was to provide a high-level forum for sharing new developments in the field of phosphorus chemistry, emphasizing the importance of organophosphorus chemistry for sustainable development and promoting novel research and novel collaborations from academia, industry and governments.

The intensive scientific program included 12 plenary and 41 keynote lectures, 75 oral and 24 flash presentations, as well as 180 poster communications, which were enjoyed by about 350 participants from 26 countries all over the world. In 1997, and by the Order of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, the International Arbuzovs Prize in Organophosphorus Chemistry was established in the memory of the renowned Russian chemists Alexander and Boris Arbuzov.

The Prize is awarded to researchers with outstanding achievements in the field of phosphorus chemistry. Over the last decade, 10 world-famous scientists from Russia, USA, Poland, France, Germany, Japan, UK, and Ukraine have been awarded the prize. At the Opening Ceremony of ICPC-21 the President of the Republic of Tatarstan presented the Prize for the eleventh time: Professor Yufen Zhao from Xiamen University (China) was pronounced as the new Arbuzovs Prize laureate. She made a great contribution to fundamental phosphorus chemistry and her works helped to connect various scientific fields, including organoelemental synthesis, molecular biology, and medicinal chemistry. Prof. Zhao gave the Arbuzovs Prize lecture, “Phosphorous Chemistry and Evolution of Biological Molecules”, which opened the scientific program of ICPC. It covered all key research directions of phosphorus chemistry and focused on the progress in organophophorus chemistry, new phosphorus reagents in organic synthesis, phosphorus in coordination and inorganic chemistry, phosphorous in catalytic processes and life sciences and industrial phosphorous chemistry including new age materials design.

An important part of the scientific program was devoted to School-Conference “Rational Design of Phosphorus Substances with Desired Properties”. A number of IUPAC members, including Professors G.M. Blackburn (UK), M. Mikolajczyk (Poland), J.J. Weigand and E. Hey-Hawkins from Germany, K. Lammertsma (Holland), D. Gates (Canada), X. Chen and Z. He from China, I.P. Beletskaya, N.P. Tarasova (current IUPAC President), A.G. Gabibov, and N.E. Nifantiev (the latter four from Russia) reported on recent research results achieved in their laboratories.

In addition to the exciting scientific sessions and productive discussions, a very interesting social program was organized during ICPC-21, which left unforgettable personal impressions of the ancient but also very modern Tatarstan, as well as its amicable citizens.

This Issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry comprises selected full articles prepared on the keynote and invited lectures presented at the 21^st ICPC-2016 conference. Thanks are expressed to all the attendees and participants, the Editors of PAC, sponsors and partners, organizing and scientific committees for their contribution to the success of this conference. We can all look forward to the 22^st ICPC, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, 2018.