Overview. A heterocyclic compound is defined as any organic compound where their molecules are characterized by rings containing at least one atom other than carbon. These compounds are structurally similar to cyclic organic hydrocarbons, but their properties can vary widely from those of their hydrocarbon counterparts and are largely governed by the identity, location and number of heteroatoms present in the molecule. It is this rich diversity of physical and biological properties that has led to intense study of heterocyclic compounds. It follows then that Heterocyclic Chemistry is the study of all aspects of heterocyclic compounds.
Heterocyclic chemistry has its origin in organic synthesis, natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. Indeed most any heterocyclic chemist will also consider themselves organic chemists and many will consider themselves to be natural products chemists and medicinal chemists as well. This relationship between disciplines arises because heterocyclic molecules are fundamental building blocks of biological systems. In addition to its importance to biology, heterocyclic chemistry has seen intense study in diverse areas such as dyes, photosensitizers, coordination compounds, polymeric materials and many other fields.
Policies. The Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry is interested in publishing research on all aspects of Heterocyclic Chemistry. A perusal of any issue will show that the majority of manuscripts submitted are on the synthesis and properties of heterocyclic compounds. Many of those studies include a short history of the biological and commercial applications of related compounds, and often include biological screening data corresponding to newly reported compounds. This strong connection between the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and their potential benefit to humanity is both welcomed and encouraged. One will also find articles related to physical organic chemistry studies on heterocyclic compounds, mechanistic studies of reactions leading to heterocyclic compounds and studies of the photophysical properties of heterocyclic compounds, just to name a few.
Heterocyclic chemistry is an ever-expanding subject where scientists regularly discover new and exciting applications for heterocyclic compounds. The Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry invites authors to submit heterocyclic chemistry research on any aspect of heterocyclic chemistry in the form of Articles, Notes, Reviews, and Communications.
Articles must report the results of comprehensive research and will usually amount to more than four final printed journal pages. Shorter papers, usually classified as notes, are acceptable. Complete spectral characterization of all new compounds reported, is required for publication in the Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry. All new compounds must be subjected to combustion analysis for at least two elements (typically C and H) and values within ± 0.4 must be obtained.
Notes are simply smaller articles that are concise reports of completed projects. The requirements for notes are the same as those of articles. Manuscripts submitted as articles may in some cases be accepted as notes. As for articles all new compounds must be adequately characterized by spectral data and combustion analysis.
Communications to the Editor may be of any length but should report new, important and timely research for which rapid publication is warranted. We require that communications include procedures, compound preparation data and related data in sufficient detail that an experienced chemist can duplicate the work. Elemental analysis and spectral data supporting all new compounds are a requirement for publication and must be included as part of the submitted manuscript.
Reviews may be exhaustive or may be short indicating only the highlights of a given area. It is wise to communicate with the editor in advance of preparation and/or submission to determine the timeliness of any given review.
Authors bear the sole responsibility for the contents of manuscripts and the accuracy of the data therein.