ISMSC2019: 14th International Symposium of Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry

This special issue of Supramolecular Chemistry is dedicated to the 14th International Symposium of Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC2019), whichwas successfully held in Lecce, Italy, from 2 to 6 June 2019. The symposium was organised by Politecnico di Milano and Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, and chaired by Pierangelo Metrangolo, Francesca Baldelli Bombelli, and Giancarlo Terraneo. Following a quite long tradition, the symposium provided the great opportunity to discuss the forefront research in macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry. More than 700 international scientists, from 43 different countries and from diverse research environments, gathered in Lecce to attend the symposium. It was a unique occasion for graduate students, postdocs and scientists to exchange ideas, to discuss innovative and emerging results and to promote inter-discipline collaborations. During the 5 days of the symposium, ISMSC2019 hosted a total of 88 lectures including lectures from Sir James Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa, 2016 Logo: The conference logo depicts the interlocked Borromean rings as the floor of the Roman amphitheater in Lecce-Italy. Photo: ISMSC2019 delegates at Monastero degli Olivetani - Lecce- Italy SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY 2020, VOL. 32, NO. 3, 163-164 https://doi.org/10.1080/10610278.2020.1767779 © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group Nobel Laureates in Chemistry, as well as from Luisa De Cola, 2019 Izatt-Christensen Award, Xiaopeng Li, 2019 Cram-Lehn-Pedersen Prize, Ross Stewart Forgan, 2019 Sessler Early Career Researcher Prize, and Konrad K. Tiefenbacher, the Natural Product Reports Emerging Investigator Lectureship winner. In addition, the program included 22 keynote talks and 24 invited talks. There were also 12 oral and 24 short paper contributions selected by the organisers from the submitted abstracts. Furthermore, 550 posters were presented on two poster sessions enabling almost every participant to share his/ her work in this exciting meeting for the supramolecular chemistry community. The conference covered a wide range of topics such as organic electronics, nanotechnology, biology, medicine, and materials science, in which supramolecular chemistry was the common tool for developing innovative materials, devices, macromolecules, nanovectors, etc. This symposium clearly showed how supramolecular chemistry is flourishing crossing traditional borders and moving towards new interdisciplinary areas of research at the interface between chemistry, medicine, biology, and materials science. As far as outreach is concerned, during ISMSC2019, a public lecture was delivered by Sir James Fraser Stoddart to present the world of supramolecular chemistry and the long scientific journey that has brought him to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016. More than 800 high school students, as well as citizens have attended this lecture. The symposium received the endorsement, among others, of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019), the European Chemical Society (EuChemS), the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), and the Materials Research Society (MRS). As far as IYPT2019 is concerned, ISMSC2019 was selected from IUPAC as the venue for the announcement of 10 elements of the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists. IUPAC has also supported the Microsymposium 'New Directions in Supramolecular Chemistry: Nanomedicine', which was held within the ISMSC2019 programme and has shown how, recently, Supramolecular Chemistry (i.e., use of inter-molecular interactions to build-up selfassembled systems) has been exploited for pioneering new directions in bio-engineering and nanomedicine. The Conference has undoubtedly contributed to create an inspiring networking opportunity among scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promote cross-disciplinary collaborations. Moreover, it represented a great opportunity for junior researchers and PhD students to present their work and discuss new ideas with well-established leaders in their field of research. In addition to the exciting academic programs, participants also had the opportunity to explore Lecce, the Baroque Florence in Southern Italy and capital of the charming peninsula called Salento, which offered the unique opportunity to experience the architectural and historical beauties of this Southern part of Italy. Many participants enjoyed excursions around the city, including beach walks as well as local art, music and food experiences. This Special Issue covers a wide cross-section of research activities in macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry, and topics on materials and nanoscience including molecular recognition, self-assembly, stimuli- responsive materials, molecular sensors and drug-delivery systems. We greatly appreciate the efforts and valuable contributions by all the authors and reviewers who have made this special issue a success. Finally, we would like to thank Professors Philip A. Gale and Bruce C. Gibb for giving us the opportunity to serve as Guest Editors for this Special Issue. We are also grateful to the editorial team of Supramolecular Chemistry for their precious support during the editing process.