Project Details:

Basic Terminology of Crystal Engineering

Project No.:2012-044-1-100
Start date:2013-02-01
End date:0000-00-00
Division:Physical and Biophysical Chemistry Division
Objective:

The objectives of this project are

  1. to produce guidelines for terminology (glossary of terms) in the area of crystal engineering,
  2. to ensure that these guidelines are accepted by a large group of leading researchers in the field, and
  3. to have these guidelines implemented or referred to in the instructions to authors of leading crystal engineering journals.
Description:

Crystal engineering is the design and synthesis of functional crystalline structures, based on a bottom-up approach from smaller building blocks. Crystal engineering is a fascinating and new subject that has expanded rapidly the last 20 years, and is also attracting the interest of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. It has strong overlap with supramolecular chemistry, X-ray crystallography, materials science, and solid-state chemistry and yet it is a distinct discipline in itself. The subject goes beyond the traditional divisions of organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and this makes for a very eclectic blend of ideas, techniques and strategies.

The diversity in both focus and scientific basis of the researchers involved in the field has led to numerous terminology practices that are not consistent among research groups, causing much confusion and unnecessary conflicts.

The purpose and scope of this project is to provide a basic glossary of terms for this rapidly evolving, highly interdisciplinary field of crystal engineering, to identify and debate open questions, and to point out new directions.

This project will bring together a task force of scientists in the field with the objectives to:

  1. Document, analyze, and evaluate existing practices.
  2. Make preliminary suggestions for a limited number of terms (basic glossary of terms).
  3. Organize discussions of these recommendations with a large group of researchers in the area.
  4. Adjust and optimize preliminary findings in order to have highest possible acceptance from the research community.
  5. Publish the final recommendations in PAC.
  6. Approach journal editors and publishers to have the recommendations included, or cited, in their guidelines for authors.
Progress:
Last update 16 April 2013