SYNLETT Call for Papers

Upcoming SYNLETT Clusters open for submissions are listed below!

General Guidelines

• If you intend to submit a manuscript, please inform the corresponding (guest) editor first, remembering to include the title of your manuscript and the article type (e.g. Account or Letter).
• Upon approval by the (guest) editor, you may submit your manuscript according to the author instructions.
• Please include the title of the Cluster and the corresponding editor during the submission process.

Upcoming Topics

Nano-Catalysis In Organic Synthesis
Tanja Gulder/ Mrinmoy De (Send e-mail)
Deadline: July 31, 2025
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Over the past decade, the exceptional and versatile properties of nanomaterials have significantly expanded their applications in synthetic organic chemistry, particularly in the design of diverse molecular scaffolds, including biologically active compounds. Notably, the nanoscale dimensions provide a higher density of catalytically active sites, leading to enhanced turnover numbers compared to bulk materials or conventional catalysts. Furthermore, many nanomaterials exhibit a heterogeneous nature, facilitating their easy separation and recovery from reaction mixtures. In most cases, they can be reused in subsequent reactions while maintaining their catalytic efficiency. The structural engineering of nanomaterials—through doping, ligand anchoring, and modulation of size, shape, and composition—has enabled the development of a broad range of catalysts tailored for selective transformations.

The design of application-driven nanocatalysts has also enabled access to otherwise unstable or elusive intermediates. For instance, the emergence of Single Atom Catalysis (SACs) has opened new avenues for mimicking metalloenzymes in artificial systems. Additionally, nanocatalysis aligns with the principles of sustainable chemistry, promoting atom-economical and environmentally benign reaction protocols, thereby increasing the overall impact and future potential of this field.

This special issue welcomes manuscripts on, but not limited to, development of novel nanocatalysts and their applications in organic synthesis, advancements in hybrid metal nanocatalysts for organic transformations, progress in heterogeneous catalysis and its practical applications, and fabrication and functionalization of nanocatalysts for enhanced selectivity and efficiency.

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Special Issue dedicated to Prof. S. Chandrasekaran 
S. Baskaran/ R. G. Bhat/ Debabrata Maiti  (Send e-mail)
Deadline: July 31, 2025
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This special issue is dedicated to Prof. S. Chandrasekaran on his 80^th Bday. Prof. S. Chandrasekaran is a pioneering figure in the field of organic chemistry in India. Over his 50-year career at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, he has made important contributions to the field. His work has focused on developing novel synthetic methodologies, including the use of titanium(III) tetrahydroborates, binary molybdenum-sulfur systems, ruthenium(II)-bisoxazoline catalysts, and acyloxyphosphonium salts, among others. These have enabled stereoselective reductions, chemoselective epoxidations, and other important synthetic transformations. Additionally, he has applied these techniques toward the total synthesis of complex natural products such as cyclic peptides, pyrrolo benzodiazepines, and carbohydrate derivatives. His research has also explored organic materials, catalysis, and green chemistry. His leadership roles in various academic and scientific organizations have further reinforced his stature as a towering figure in the Indian chemistry community.

This special issue welcomes submissions including but not limited on New Synthetic Methodologies, Catalytic Strategies, Green Chemistry, Photochemistry, Total Synthesis of Natural Products, Bioactive Compounds and Stereoselective Synthesis.

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Alkynes in Organic Synthesis
Manuel van Gemmeren/ Daniel Werz/ Ponneri Ravikumar (Send e-mail)
Deadline: June 30, 2025
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Due to their small size and exceptional ability to coordinate with metals, alkynes have become indispensable coupling partners in contemporary organic synthesis. This unique reactivity has been harnessed in numerous transformations, especially those involving bond activation processes such as C–H, C–C, and C–X activation. In recent years, the role of alkynes in generating metal-carbon intermediates through activation of C–H, C–X, C–C, or C–N bonds has led to groundbreaking advances in organic transformations.

The versatility of alkynes extends beyond bond activation, as they are also widely utilized as reactive partners in classical organic transformations, including Brønsted/Lewis acid-catalyzed cyclizations. Their broad applicability and unique properties have cemented their role as key building blocks in synthetic chemistry.

This issue welcomes contributions focusing on innovative transformations involving alkynes, including but not limited to metal-catalyzed bond activation (C–H, C–C, C–X, C–N) and classical cyclization reactions. Submissions exploring novel reactivity, catalytic processes, or synthetic methodologies utilizing alkynes are particularly encouraged.

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First-Row Transition-Metal Catalysis For Organic Synthesis
Wei Shu (Send e-mail)
Deadline: February 28, 2025
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Owing to their abundance and low toxicity, first-row transition metals have emerged as a new paradigm in catalysis for developing catalytic reactions. This has led to the discovery of novel transformations and the improvement of known transformations previously enabled by noble metals. In recent years, first-row transition-metal catalysis has garnered increasing attention from the community for enabling bond activation and formation processes. First-row transition-metal selective bond formation has evolved into a powerful tool for organic synthesis. This issue welcome work, including but not limited to first-row transition metal (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu,) catalysis enabling selective transformations, including selective bond cleavage and formation processes in organic chemistry.

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Small Molecules in Medicinal Chemistry
Monika Raj / Arindam Talukdar / Raj Kumar / Satyasheel Sharma (Send e-mail)
Deadline: February 28, 2025
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Small molecules of synthetic or natural origin, make up 90% of pharmaceutical drugs. These compounds, characterized by their small molecular weight, serve as therapeutics for various diseases including cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes, viral infections, etc. Additionally, they are used as diagnostics, chemical probes, and sensors. This versatility is due to their ability to target a wide range of biological molecules, such as proteins (enzymes, ion channels, receptors), RNA, DNA, and glycolipids, acting as inhibitors, activators, antagonists, agonists, allosteric binders, and sensors. Moreover, the structural optimization of small molecules allows medicinal chemists to fine-tune their pharmacokinetic (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and toxicity) and pharmacodynamic properties (drug-receptor binding). Recently, small molecules have been successfully integrated into new modalities such as PROTACs, LYTACs, ADCs, molecular glues, cell and gene therapy facilitators, further expanding their research potential. We invite submissions on advancements in the design, synthesis, or semi-synthetic modification of novel small molecules with therapeutic or diagnostic importance highlighting their structure-activity relationship (SAR). Additionally, we welcome submissions on developments in novel synthetic routes, improved synthesis methods, and scalable, cost-effective syntheses of biologically important small molecules currently in clinical trials or on the market.

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Emerging Trends in Organic Chemistry: A Focus on India
Vinod Tiwari (Send e-mail)
Deadline: February 28, 2025
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India is among the top five countries in research output for both basic and applied organic chemistry. This special issue aims to highlight emerging trends in the field of organic chemistry at Indian universities. This issue welcome work, including but not limited to Novel synthetic methodologies and catalytic transformations, Total synthesis of complex natural products, Organic electrochemistry, photochemistry, Carbohydrate chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, Organometallic and organocatalytic chemistry.

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Special Issue dedicated to Prof. B. C. Ranu 
Debabrata Maiti (Send e-mail) / Sukalyan Bhadra
Deadline: August 31, 2024
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This special issue is dedicated to Professor B.C. Ranu on the occasion of his 75^th birthday. Professor Ranu completed his master's and PhD from universities in Kolkata, India before pursuing postdoctoral research at Virginia Tech from 1982-1985. He has been a faculty member at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science since 1985. He superannuated from regular position in 2013 and is currently continuing as INSA Honorary Scientist within the same department. Professor Ranu's distinguished career has been recognized through several prestigious fellowships from Indian academies and the Department of Science and Technology. He has received multiple awards for his contributions, including the N.S. Narasimhan Award, Chemical Research Society of India medals, the J.C. Bose fellowship, and the J.C. Ghosh Memorial award. This special issue honors Professor Ranu's outstanding achievements and dedication to organic chemistry research and education.