Preface

Abstract

Abstract The 12th International Symposium on Novel Aromatic Compounds (ISNA-12) was held in Awaji Island, Japan, on 22-27 July 2007. The IUPAC-sponsored symposium was organized by the local committee, Prof. Yoshito Yobe (Osaka University: chair), Prof. Masahiko Iyoda (Tokyo Metropolitan University: vice-chair), and Prof. Koichi Komatsu (Fukui University of Technology: program chair), and jointly by the Science Council of Japan and the Chemical Society of Japan (CSJ). The symposium was established by Prof. Tetsuo Nozoe in 1970 as the International Symposium on Nonbenzenoid Aromatic Compounds, and this is the third ISNA held in Japan. The aim of this symposium is to elucidate fundamental principles of synthesis and properties of novel aromatic compounds, and to extend the application of π-conjugated systems in general to a wide area of molecular science. The special topics discussed during the symposium include: - synthesis of aromatic compounds - theoretical and structural aspects of aromatic compounds - supramolecular chemistry of aromatic compounds - molecular switches and devices - functions of π-conjugated systems This symposium was attended by 447 participants from 21 countries and regions worldwide. The scientific program consisted of the Nozoe lecture presented by Prof. François Diederich following the opening ceremony, 12 plenary lectures, 21 invited lectures, 38 oral presentations, and 246 poster presentations. Nineteen articles contributed by the Nozoe lecturer and the plenary and invited lecturers appear in this issue to highlight the recent remarkable progress in this scientific field presented at ISNA-12. The next symposium, ISNA-13, will be held in Luxembourg on 19-24 July 2009 and organized by Profs. François Diederich and A. Dieter Schlüter (ETH Zürich). ISNA-14 will be organized by Prof. Michael M. Haley (University of Oregon) in the United States in 2011. Shinji Toyota Conference Editor