Nazario Martín talks about C₆₀, the energy crisis and chemistry in Spain. Interview by Joanne Thomson. 

	Nazario Martín is professor of organic chemistry at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. His research interests include the chemistry of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes and the synthesis of photo- and electro-active molecular materials.

What inspired you to become a chemist? 

I had to learn the formulation of chemical compounds by myself when I was a child. After this I realised how important it would be to know about the compounds behind the names. 

Your work focuses on the chemistry of carbon nanostructures. What attracted you to this area of research? 

When I saw the molecule of fullerene (C₆₀) for the first time, I was strongly affected by its beauty and, soon afterwards, by its outstanding properties. I decided to work on it, learning with one of the pioneers of fullerene chemistry, Fred Wudl, with whom I worked at the University of California, Santa Barbara, US, in 1994 

What are you working on at the moment? 

We are currently working on the use of fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes as materials for photovoltaics. Another important issue in my research group is the use of the convex surface of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to interact electronically and geometrically with concave electron donors, such as those derived from the well-known pi-extended tetrathiafulvalenes (exTTF). Concave-convex interactions are an important and less known issue in supramolecular chemistry. The curved surface of fullerenes and CNTs is a unique scenario for testing new chemical reactions and we are also investigating this aspect .

What is your biggest achievement to date? 

In collaboration with Dirk Guldi, we have developed a thorough study on the photoinduced electron transfer processes involving fullerenes and CNTs which, I hope, be a significant contribution to this field. However, recent excitements in our laboratory came from the formation of photo- and electro-active supramolecular polymers and dendrimers from fullerenes and exTTFs. Actually, we saw that fullerenes are able to do the conga! We recently reported the first example of enantiomerically pure fullerenes prepared by using asymmetric catalysis, which opens a new avenue in the synthesis of chiral fullerenes at will. 

You are vice-director of the new Madrid Institute of Advanced Research in Nanoscience. What is the aim of this institute? 

To create an atmosphere in which young scientists grow up working with colleagues from other areas in the search for common scientific goals in nanoscience. It is an ambitious project which will become a stronger reality in 2011 when our new building will house 150 to 200 scientists. 

You are currently President of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry. What are your key objectives while in this role? 

Our main purpose is to improve our presence within EuCheMS and, therefore, to reinforce our collaboration with other European Chemical Societies. In this regard, we have bilateral agreements with many European Chemical Societies, among them the RSC. On the other hand, our purpose is to maintain or improve the good level of the chemical science in Spain by means of the many activities that we are currently developing through our specialised groups and territorial sections. A major objective in this regard is engaging the youngest chemists. 

As a member of the ChemComm Editorial Board, what is your vision for the journal in 2010? 

ChemComm is among the best and renowned chemistry journals, with a long tradition as a flagship for quality and novelty. I am sure the remarkable impact factor of the journal (5.34) will increase further in 2010, which clearly reveals that the journal publishing seminal works. 

The energy crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing civilisation. How can chemical technology address this problem? 

The only certainty is that without the engagement of the chemists, the problem will not be solved. Chemistry will produce new and more efficient materials for renewable energies and will improve the transformation of residues in more conventional energies, including nuclear power. In this regard, organic photovoltaics - in which we are very much engaged - will complement silicon cells and, hopefully, very soon we will see their use for practical applications. 

Has Spanish chemistry been affected by the global recession? 

Spain and its chemistry have suffered recession along with the rest of the world. However, Spanish chemical companies are quite solid and the Spanish Ministry, as well as the regional governments, has decided to strongly support basic research. The recession has not, therefore, been as dramatic for chemistry as it has for other fields in Spain. 

What do you do in your spare time? 

I read science. When possible, I try to walk with my wife. I like reading history and play or watch football, particularly now that Spain is doing so well! 

What would you be if you weren't a scientist? 

It is difficult for me to imagine. But my father always told me that I would be an excellent bishop. I also would like to have been a writer or literature professor.