Foreword
IUPAC's initiatives and publications have been closely identified with green chemistry over the past several years. However, a significant milestone was reached in a project on Synthetic Pathways and Processes in Green Chemistry, chaired by Prof. Pietro Tundo (University of Venice), as a first IUPAC undertaking devoted exclusively to the theme of green chemistry. This culminated in publication of a Special Topic issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry [Pure Appl. Chem. 72 (7), (2000);
Shortly thereafter, Prof. M. Kidwai and his colleagues at the University of Delhi launched an IUPAC-sponsored International Symposium on Green Chemistry in January 2001 [Pure Appl. Chem. 73 (1), (2001);
Although the foregoing publication projects are explicitly identified with green chemistry, the theme features repeatedly in numerous papers arising from other IUPAC-sponsored events in recent years, or underpins other disciplinary themes, for example, in the Special Topic collection devoted to Electrochemistry and Interfacial Chemistry for the Environment [Pure Appl. Chem. 73 (12), (2001);
It is thus fitting that the Union should now take the initiative to regularize its role in promoting green chemistry, through a series of biennial conferences. It is equally appropriate to highlight the published record of the 1st International Conference on Green-Sustainable Chemistry as a Special Topic feature of PAC, in recognition of the topicality of this authoritative and representative collection of papers.
James R. Bull
Scientific Editor