Volume 47, Issue 4

Chemistry stands at a challenging crossroads. We are being asked to decarbonise sprawling value chains, build true circularity, build resilient supply chains, navigate through funding and regulatory whiplash, and rebuild public trust, all at once. And yet, we are a creative community that continues to turn constraints into inventions, such as cleaner processes and fuels, greener solvents, and abundant alternatives for scarce elements.

Since 2019, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has identified the Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry [1]. This initiative showcases the strategic and innovative contributions of chemistry and chemists to the sustainability and the well-being of society, [2] serving as a platform to promote up-and-coming breakthroughs to catalyse commercial uptake and technology transfer [3]. This year’s selection, as usual curated by a team of experts from a pool of proposals submitted by researchers worldwide, includes technologies capable of tackling the climate crisis, transitioning to a sustainable supply chain, and providing promising solutions for better healthcare. Read on to discover the 2025 top ten technologies in chemistry with a transformational potential.

Science and technology are evolving at a remarkable pace, providing innovative solutions to global challenges. Developments are improving healthcare, driving sustainability, and enhancing quality of life, while playing a critical role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. But this rapid progress also brings new complexities, particularly for science-based disarmament treaties. How can we ensure these agreements remain robust in this rapidly evolving scientific landscape? Using the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as an example, Sarah Clapham and Peter Hotchkiss from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) explore this question, describing the mechanisms in place to effectively monitor and assess progress in science and technology while highlighting select relevant advances.

Whether one realises it or not, chemistry is everywhere. In our everyday lives, chemistry is vital to ensure that what we eat is nutritious and safe, that the medicine we take will cure us of our ailments, and that the detergents we use to clean things will do the job. From a collective perspective, chemistry is vital to our societal growth: from tackling climate change to understanding brain activity, there isn’t much which is not somehow affected by chemistry.

Last year, I was fortunate to be able to shine an spotlight on two recent IUPAC Young Observers (YOs), Silvina Di Pietro and Tien Thuy Quach, with whom I have had the pleasure of interacting through IUPAC and other organizations ( Chem Int. Oct 2024, p.6). Through the spotlight article, Silvi and Tien were able to share the impact of serving as an IUPAC YO, as well as IUPAC initiatives about which they are interested and passionate. In this spotlight, we asked two YOs from Italy, Fabiana Piscitelli and Elisa Carignani, to share their thoughts on how chemistry can be viewed as a globally-engaged science. Directly following is a feature introducing the U.S. YO who participated in IUPAC 2025.

The IUPAC Young Observer Program strives to introduce the work of IUPAC to a new generation of distinguished researchers and provide them with opportunities to address international science policy issues. As an IUPAC Young Observer (UK 2025) and member of Chemistry International Editorial Board, Brian Li took the opportunity to interview several IUPAC YOs across the world. In this article, you will read an introduction by Liana Vaccari about USNC/IUPAC, followed by U.S. YOs interviews about their research interests, knowledge of IUPAC, and career advice for young chemists, and concluding remarks were written by Mark Cesa, IUPAC President (2014–2015) and U.S. YO (1997).

In a world grappling with climate change, pollution, disinformation, and rapid technological shifts, the question is no longer can chemistry help—but how should it?

IUPAC has now released the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry. The goal of this initiative is to showcase the transformative value of chemistry and to inform the general public about the potential of the chemical sciences to foster the well-being of Society and the sustainability of our planet.

The IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education (CCE) is soliciting nominations for three types of awards, which will be made during the 28th International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE 2026). ICCE 2026 will be held jointly with the 17th ECRICE conference in Erzurum, Türkije, on 13–17 July 2026. These prizes recognise outstanding work being done in any part of the world to promote excellence in the teaching and learning of chemistry. The awards are:

IUPAC and Gedeon Richter, Plc. announce that the 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize in Medicinal Chemistry will be presented during the  39th ACS National Medicinal Chemistry Symposium  (31 May – 3 June 2026) in Atlanta, GA, United States and the recipient will also give a lecture on the subject of their research at the XXIXth EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (6–10 September 2026) in Basel, Switzerland.

The IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry is to be awarded annually to a scientist whose breakthrough discovery or conceptual advance has made a transformative impact on sustainable chemistry. This prestigious international prize celebrates innovation and bold thinking, recognizing discoveries rather than lifetime achievement.

In July 2025, ten Young Chemists were recognized with the IUPAC-Solvay International Award during the opening of IUPAC 2025 Congress in Kuala Lumpur. The awards were presented on a grand stage by IUPAC President Professor Ehud Keinan and Solvay representative Ajay Khandkar. Who will be the next Awardees recognized in Montreal in 2027? Could it be you?

C hemistry Teacher International invites submissions for a special issue under the theme “From Concept to Classroom: Success Stories of Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education.”

2025 was proclaimed by the United Nations proclaimed the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). This year-long and worldwide initiative aims at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.  As the world authority on chemical nomenclature and terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data, IUPAC is naturally a supporter. Compiled under the leadership of Russell Boyd and Manuel Yáñez acting as co-editors, a special issue of IUPAC journal  Pure and Applied Chemistry  (PAC) is dedicated to the celebration of IYQ.

It was with tremendous sadness that we received the message that Edwin D. (Ted) Becker passed away August 4 th , shortly after his 95th birthday. With his passing, IUPAC has lost a most passionate supporter, who played a crucial role on several occasions in the history of the Union.