Thematic issue "Modern catalytic approaches for the assembly and functionalization of heterocyclic compounds"

In 2025 the journal "Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds" will publish a thematic issue "Modern catalytic approaches for the assembly and functionalization of heterocyclic compounds"

Organic synthesis is still a rate-limiting factor in drug discovery. Modern organic chemistry proposes more and more catalytic transformations, which significantly expand the existing toolbox for the construction of new molecules. However, the seminal investigations of modern catalytic transformations are generally developed on common poorly functionalized aromatic or aliphatic model substrates. Withal, compound libraries for medicinal chemistry purposes are based on highly functionalized heterocyclic structures. The attempts to apply freshly developed catalytic methodologies to heteroaromatic structures often fail, especially with non-classical functionalization, which critically limits the toolbox perspectives. The complexity of the behavior of functionalized substrates in catalytic transformations requires careful optimization of the conditions in every case and the discovery of novel rules and principles. The current state of the art in the area needs a lot of successful starting points, as well as documented negative results for more effective screening and prediction of optimal conditions. Currently such systematic investigations directed to the behavior of heterocyclic systems in modern catalytical transformations are still scare.

This thematic issue is dedicated to the modern essential investigations of functionalized heterocyclic systems' behavior in various homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic reactions, such as the formation of the latter and its utilization for compound library synthesis.

The thematic issue will include

• microreviews ''Heterocycles in Focus''. A compact compilation of recent (last 5–10 years) information on a selected heterocyclе: its synthesis, properties, application as a product, reactant, ligand, as well  as starting material or reagent for the synthesis of heterocycles (short highlights, 3 journal pages, 8–10 recent citations),
• mini-reviews (6–10 journal pages, 15–30 citations),
• regular reviews (10–20 journal pages, 50–80 citations),
• original papers (up to 15 journal pages),
• short communications (up to 4 journal pages).

Submission deadline – September 26, 2025.

Guest Editor – Professor Serhiy Kolotilov (Deputy director of L. V. Pisarzhevskii Institute of Physical Chemistry).