ECC10’s parallel sessions are centred around the following 8 congress themes, spanning all of chemistry. The scope of each theme is described below.
Catalysis lies at the heart of modern chemistry, enabling transformative reactions and providing the foundation for new solutions in science, technology, and industry. From sustainable synthesis and energy conversion to breakthroughs in health and environmental technologies, catalysis continues to play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. Under the theme “Catalyzing New Chemistry Solutions”, the congress will explore catalysis as both a conceptual foundation and as a powerful practical tool that drives progress for chemical discovery and innovation. The theme program will showcase cutting-edge advances in catalysis that pushes the boundaries of chemistry to find new solutions to global challenges in sustainability, energy, health, and the environment. To achieve this goal, we aim to integrate the expertise of both theoreticians and experimentalists to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the performance of catalysts, covering both industrial and model systems. The scientific discussion will also include the role of modern technologies to improve the catalyst efficiency and improve the sustainability of the processes.
Onder Metin (Koç University, Türkiye), Luigi Vaccaro (The University of Perugia, Italy), Kinga Gora-Marek (Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland)
This interdisciplinary session focuses on most recent developments in chemical tools, techniques, and principles to study and manipulate biological systems and to analyze the nutrients and bioactive compounds of food that go beyond basic nutrition, helping to protect against chronic diseases, as well as the presence of contaminants and adulterants in food. By developing chemical probes and other synthetic molecules, chemical biologists gain detailed molecular insights into cellular processes, with the ultimate goal of understanding disease mechanisms and developing new therapies. Chemistry is providing tools to develop sustainable and circular strategies in agri-food systems (waste reduction and byproduct valorization) and to unravel the complex relationships between food processing and the bioavailability of bioactive molecules in the human gut.
Francesco Peri (University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy), Joana Amaral (Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal), Rachel Hevey (University of Basel, Switzerland), Sonsoles Martin-Santamaria (Spanish National Research Council, Spain), Jussara Amato (University of Naples Federico II, Italy)
This theme will be devoted to all aspects of computational methods and artificial intelligence are driving concrete advances in chemical research, from the prediction of molecular behaviour to the design of new materials and catalytic processes. It is aimed at researchers who utilise or develop computational methods and data-driven tools to solve specific chemical problems.
Presentations will feature practical applications of AI, machine learning, and modelling techniques to accelerate molecular and materials discovery, optimise reaction pathways, and understand complex chemical and biological systems. Examples include quantum chemical calculations for reaction design, molecular dynamics simulations for property prediction, AI-assisted catalyst discovery, and digital workflows that integrate computation with high-throughput experimentation.
In addition to application-oriented contributions, the session will highlight methodological innovations, including new algorithms and methods, modelling approaches, and data infrastructures, that enable increased accuracy, reproducibility, and transparency in chemical research. It will also provide space to discuss the responsible use of AI, including data quality, explainability, and ethical considerations.
Jeremy Frey (University of Southampton, United Kingdom), Tanja Van Mourik (University of St Andrews, United Kingdom)
Chemistry is recognized as the central discipline: providing the molecules and materials that allow the transition towards a more sustainable society. A primary challenge is the shift from fossil to renewable energy resources, which not only requires efficient energy harvesting, but also innovative molecular and materials solutions for effective energy storage and conversion. Electrification and hence electrolyzers, batteries, fuel cells, electrosynthesis and (photo)electrochemistry are important areas of current research to be highlighted within this topic.
Respecting environmental planetary boundaries requires multiple strategies, including but not limited to employing chemical analysis tools, deploying pollution control catalysts, limiting chemical pollution, developing remediation processes and sustainable synthetic strategies, and careful design of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles. A sustainable society calls for designing molecules and materials through green processes emphasizing circularity, as well as reducing and replacing critical raw elements and reducing chemical pollution of key environmental compartments, such as water, soil, air and built environment. Contributors to this topic will share the approaches they have taken and progress they are making toward addressing these scientific challenges.
Mary Carroll (Union College, United States), Petra de Jongh (Utrecht University, the Netherlands), Adrian Covaci (University of Antwerp, Belgium), Evelina Colacino (University of Montpellier, France)
The discovery of new materials with specific properties is a milestone driving innovation across all sectors of science and technology. This theme is dedicated to research that enables a more sustainable use of the planet’s resources, allowing for substantial progress in the fields of energy and electronics. The sessions will highlight both fundamental innovation and application-driven development, connecting fundamental advances with major societal challenges in energy, environment, and health. This theme aims to stimulate discussion on how innovative materials research can shape the next decade.
Mario Chiesa (University of Torino, Italy), Clara Gomes (Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde (LAQV), Portugal), Clément Sanchez (Collège de France, France)
This theme is dedicated to advancing the fundamental knowledge of molecular design, chemical reactivity, and the creation of new functional systems, driving innovations across molecular and materials science with important societal applications supporting our quality of life. It covers a broad spectrum of modern synthetic chemistry, including organic, inorganic, and hybrid organic/inorganic synthesis. This includes synthetic method development, as well as its fundamental understanding. A key focus is catalysis, encompassing thermal and alternative activation methods such as mechanochemistry, light, and microwave activation. The theme places strong emphasis on detailed mechanistic studies in both organic and inorganic chemistry, including both experimental and theoretical approaches to understand reaction pathways. The scope encompasses the chemistry of complex systems, including the coordination chemistry of transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides, as well as organometallic chemistry and supramolecular and metallosupramolecular chemistry. A significant area is the rational design and crystal engineering of organic, inorganic, and hybrid solid-state architectures, driven by the understanding of intermolecular interactions. This leads to the creation of advanced functional materials such as molecular machines, coordination polymers, MOFs, COFs, and HOFs, as well as molecular magnetic, luminescent, and conductive materials. Finally, the theme addresses stereocontrol through asymmetric synthesis, and embraces resource-efficient syntheses, including renewable feedstocks. This collective focus highlights the pivotal role of synthetic chemistry in enabling future technologies.
Marius Andruh (University of Bucharest, Romania), Bert Maes (University of Antwerp, Belgium)
This session explores the dynamic and rapidly evolving frontiers of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, showcasing transformative innovations that are reshaping scientific research, industrial applications, and societal impact. In Analytical and Physical Chemistry, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is revolutionizing data interpretation, method development, and high-throughput screening. Advances in high-resolutions spectrometry, single-cell analysis, and lab-on-a-chip technologies are enabling real-time, ultra-sensitive detection across biomedical, environmental, and material science. Emphasis will be placed on green analytical chemistry, including solvent-free techniques and miniaturized systems that align with sustainability goals.
This session invites contributions that reflect the interdisciplinary nature of modern analytical and physical chemistry.
Carla Seidel (BASF, Germany), Slavica Ražić (University of Belgrade, Serbia)
This theme explores the vital intersection of chemistry with society through the lenses of education, ethics, history, and cultural heritage. It invites contributions highlighting innovative practices and cross-disciplinary perspectives that offer lessons relevant for today’s societal challenges. The target audience includes chemists, educators, historians, ethicists, cultural heritage specialists, and practitioners engaged in science communication and outreach. The target audience includes chemists, educators, historians, ethicists, cultural heritage specialists, and practitioners engaged in science communication and outreach.
Annette Lykknes (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway), Iwona Maciejowska (Jagiellonian University, Poland), Maite Maguregui (University of the Basque Country, Spain), Anca Silvestru (Babes-Bolyai University, Romania)
