C G Editorial The first issue of Green Chemistry follows 18 months of market research consultation and discussion with the academic industrial and public chemistry communities and detailed planning with the RSC and a very supportive editorial board. The primary decision to go ahead with a new journal was not taken lightly only after long and frank discussions over questions such as journal proliferation academic credibility and industrial relevance did chemists from a wide variety of backgrounds reach consensus on the importance and timeliness of the project. The supportive evidence for this is overwhelming and includes the number of recent relevant publications the emphasis placed on relevant research by national and transnational funding agencies an increasing awareness in industry of the importance of concepts such as waste minimisation and atom utilisation and greater involvement by governments in controlling the use of resources and the production and disposal of waste.The emergence of these and other underpinning concepts as general principles which can be used in the conception and execution of synthetic chemistry and in the usage of the chemicals produced has been critical in the evolution of Green Chemistry.1 The title Green Chemistry was itself the subject of considerable discussion and debate. We considered many alternatives but none carried the same combination of widespread use and appreciation as well as simplicity and impact. We are particularly indebted to colleagues in the United States who have been largely responsible for getting the terminology into common practice as well as for giving it credibility and value through initiatives such as the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Scheme.The definition of Green Chemistry given by the individual who has done most to promote it Paul Anastas and his co-author John Warner serves nicely to define the main objectives of this journal Green Chemistry is the utilisation of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design manufacture and application of chemical products.2 Green Chemistry is to be an information resource as well as a high quality international journal. It will report on research activities and interests in chemical aspects of clean technology from academic industrial and public sectors.Each issue will have two sections. The back section will contain primary research papers communications and reviews. The style and format of these articles will be very flexible to allow the widest possible range of formats. The front section of the journal will contain news and views on research industrial highlights and legislative issues grants and other promotional initiatives conferences and educational items. We seek to inform those working in relevant areas but also to promote and encourage relevant research and teaching and the application of the principles of green chemistry. Green Chemistry February 1999 G1 Green Chemistry C G The research articles in the first few issues of Green Chemistry should help to set the tone of the journal.These will cover l clean synthesis (e.g. new routes to important chemical intermediates including heterocycles) l enhanced atom utilisation (e.g. more efficient methods of bromination) l the replacement of stoichiometric reagents (e.g. catalytic oxidations using air as the only consumable source of oxygen) l new solvents and reaction media (e.g. use of supercritical fluids and reactions in ionic liquids) l water-based processes and products (e.g. organic reactions in high-temperature water) l replacements for hazardous reagents (e.g. the use of solid acids as replacements for traditional corrosive acids) l intensive processing (e.g. the use of spinning disc reactors) l novel separation technologies (e.g.the use of novel biphasic systems l alternative feedstocks (e.g. the use of plant-derived products as l new safer chemicals and materials (e.g. new natural l waste minimisation and reduction (e.g. applying the principles of such as those involving a fluorous phase) raw materials for the chemical industry) product-derived pesticides) atom utilisation and the use of selective catalysts). In the front section of Green Chemistry we will be carrying highlights from research and industry news items on recent public consultation documents and new funding initiatives networks and award schemes reports from recent conferences and a conference diary as well as letters comments and opinions on relevant issues.In addition we will have non-research articles designed to inform the reader of various important topics such as the effectiveness of environmental legislation as applied in different regions of the world the development of green chemistry teaching courses and educational packages status checks on current research programmes and introductions to specialist and emerging subjects such as new chemical reactor designs. We look forward to receiving a wide range of article types and news items with coverage reflecting the development and application of the principles of green chemistry in education industry and research. We would also like to hear your views on any educational governmental industrial public or research issue relevant to green chemistry. We intend the journal to act as a forum for the discussion of the many emergent and controversial issues surrounding green chemistry. The 20th century has been highly successful for chemistry and society has come to depend on the products of the chemical industry to maintain our current standard of living and improve our quality of life. On the eve of the 21st century however the public are more aware of the hazardous substances that many chemical processes use and generate than the benefits of the products. Chemistry and the chemical industry have tarnished images. With your help we can use this journal to convey the means and motivation for chemists to make a difference. James Clark York January 1999 1 For further background reading see J. Clark Chem. Br. 1998 34(10) 43. 2 Green Chemistry Theory and Practice P. T. Anastas and J. C. Warner Oxford University Press Oxford 1998. G2 Green Chemistry February 1999