ACS Central Science

ACS Central Science
Title	ACS Central Science
Discipline	Chemistry, Interdisciplinary science
Editor	Christopher W. Jones
Publisher	American Chemical Society
Country	United States
History	2015–present
Frequency	Monthly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	10.693 (2022)
Website	https://pubs.acs.org/journal/acscii
ISSN	2374-7943
EISSN	2374-7951

ACS Central Science. It is a premier open-access scientific journal published by the American Chemical Society, dedicated to publishing high-impact, interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry with other scientific disciplines. Launched in 2015, it serves as the flagship journal of the ACS Publications division, aiming to communicate significant advances that have broad implications for science and society. The journal emphasizes work that bridges traditional boundaries, fostering collaboration between fields like biology, materials science, physics, and engineering.

History and background

The journal was established in 2015 by the American Chemical Society as part of a strategic initiative to create a central venue for transformative, interdisciplinary research within its publishing portfolio. Its creation was influenced by the growing recognition that many modern scientific challenges, such as those in energy storage, drug discovery, and nanotechnology, require convergent approaches. The inaugural editor-in-chief was Christopher W. Jones, a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, who helped shape the journal's vision and rigorous standards. The launch was announced at the ACS National Meeting & Exposition and was seen as a significant expansion of the society's commitment to publishing cutting-edge science beyond traditional subdisciplinary boundaries.

Scope and editorial focus

The journal's scope encompasses foundational advances in chemistry that integrate with other fields to address major global challenges. Its editorial focus is explicitly interdisciplinary, prioritizing research that connects chemical sciences with areas like molecular biology, environmental science, chemical engineering, and data science. Central themes include the development of new synthetic methodologies, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, chemical biology, and the design of functional materials for applications in renewable energy and healthcare. The journal also features content types such as research articles, letters, perspectives, and editorials that highlight emerging trends and collaborative opportunities across the scientific landscape.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

ACS Central Science is abstracted and indexed in major scientific databases including the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, PubMed, and the Chemical Abstracts Service. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it received its first Impact Factor of 6.289 in 2016, quickly establishing itself as a high-impact venue. Its 2022 Impact Factor was 10.693, reflecting its strong influence and rapid citation uptake within the global research community. The journal's articles are regularly covered by scientific media outlets like Chemical & Engineering News and Nature News, amplifying the visibility of published work among researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals.

Notable articles and research

The journal has published numerous high-profile studies that have garnered significant attention. Notable examples include pioneering work on CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technologies applied to chemical biology, breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells for photovoltaics, and innovative approaches to carbon capture using metal-organic frameworks. Research on advanced battery systems, such as those involving solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, has also been featured prominently. These articles often involve collaborations between institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the Max Planck Society, demonstrating the journal's role in disseminating convergent science.

Open access and publication model

ACS Central Science operates on a hybrid open-access model, offering both subscription-based and immediate gold open-access options for authors. It is part of the ACS Open Access portfolio, aligning with broader trends in scientific publishing toward greater accessibility. Authors can choose to publish their work under a Creative Commons license, ensuring it is freely available to read and distribute worldwide. The journal also participates in transformative agreements with institutions and consortia, such as those with the Big Ten Academic Alliance and in several European countries, to facilitate open access. All published content is permanently archived in platforms like Portico and CLOCKSS.

Editorial board and governance

The journal is overseen by an international editorial board composed of leading scientists from diverse fields. The editor-in-chief is Christopher W. Jones, supported by senior editors and associate editors who are experts in areas ranging from organic chemistry to biophysics. The board includes researchers from prestigious organizations such as the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Cambridge, and the Riken institute. Governance and strategic direction are provided by the ACS Publications committee, which ensures the journal maintains high ethical standards, rigorous peer review, and alignment with the mission of the American Chemical Society to advance the broader chemical enterprise.

Category:American Chemical Society academic journals Category:Chemistry journals Category:Open access journals Category:Academic journals established in 2015