22^nd IUPAC International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry (ICPOC-22)

Physical organic chemistry provides us the tools and concepts to unravel the complexity of modern chemistry and biochemistry. Indeed, the application of physical organic chemistry to problems ranging from biology, materials, catalysis and synthesis is fundamentally changing our approach to these fields. We are pleased to offer you this special issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry on physical organic chemistry, based on invited lectures from the 22^nd International Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry (ICPOC22), which was held at the University of Ottawa (Canada) from August 10 to 15, 2014. Over 4 days, we were treated to 13 superb oral and poster sessions on a wide variety of topics ranging from the chemistry of gas-phase ions to conjugation and aromaticity, catalysis, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, bio-organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, photochemistry, free radicals and theory. Stimulating discussions abounded and the enthusiasm of the attendees for physical organic chemistry was obvious, as was their desire to see it used in an ever greater number of scientific disciplines. We hope you enjoy this special issue.

Local Organizing Committee: M. DeRosa (Carleton University); P. Mayer (University of Ottawa); T. Woo (University of Ottawa).

International Advisory Board: E. Humeres (Brazil); M. L. S. Cristiano (Portugal); M. Ludwig (Czech Republic); J-C. Micheau (France); N: S. Nudelman (Argentina); I. Onyido (Nigeria); C. L. Perrin (USA); L. Radom (Australia); E. Uggerud (Norway); I. Williams (UK).

Scientific Organizing Committee: A. Beauchemin (University of Ottawa); J. Brusso (University of Ottawa); C. Bohne (University of Victoria); J. Keillor (University of Ottawa); P. Mayer (University of Ottawa); H. Muchall (Concordia University); S. Newman (University of Ottawa); D. Pratt (University of Ottawa); T. Scaiano (University of Ottawa); M. Schuurman (National Research Council of Canada); H. Schwarz (Technische Universität Berlin); A. Stolow (National Research Council of Canada); D. Zechel (Queen’s University).