Natural Product Reports

1.0 Scope and Standards 

Natural Product Reports (NPR) is a monthly journal of critical reviews. It aims to stimulate progress in the study of natural products, bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry and chemical biology by providing regular and comprehensive reviews of the relevant literature published during well-defined periods. 

Topics include the isolation, structure, biosynthesis, biological activity and chemistry of the major groups of natural products - alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids, aliphatic, aromatic and O-heterocyclic compounds, and other metabolites of marine, plant and microbial origin. This coverage is augmented by frequent reviews of the wider context of natural products chemistry and chemical biology, which will be of general interest to all workers in the area. These include developments in enzymology, pharmacology, nucleic acids, genetics, chemical ecology, primary and secondary metabolism, and isolation and analytical techniques. Occasional articles by eminent scientists provide an important historical perspective describing major developments from the personal viewpoint of those involved. 

Contributions are generally commissioned by a member of the Editorial Board or the Editorial office. In either case submission should be made to the Editorial Office. The RSC is prepared to consider offers of articles for publication. In such cases a short synopsis, rather than the completed article, should be submitted to the Editor. 

2.0 Article types 

2.1 Reviews 
Reviews are critical, in-depth articles covering a broad scope. These articles are generally between 10 and 20 printed journal pages, although longer Reviews can be considered. The period of review and article length will have been agreed upon commission. The period of review as well as the preceding article (if any) on the same topic should be indicated in a brief statement at the beginning of the manuscript as follows: 

Covering: 2008-2009. Previous review: 2008, 25, 76 

The previous review should also be cited. All articles should begin with a short abstract, including the period of coverage. It is recommended that one-off articles should include an introduction for the general reader (accessible to graduate students). 

2.2 Highlights 
Highlights are short, focussed pieces which aim to provide a relatively easy read that will be of interest to a broad section of our readership. They can focus on a single area of particular significance or give a general overview of a broader area. Highlights are generally between 4 and 8 printed journal pages. For both Reviews and Highlights authors are encouraged to supply a short (100 words maximum) biography text and black and white photograph for up to 6 authors. This will be displayed on the introductory pages of their article. 

3.0 NPR Guidelines

Guidelines for each NPR article type, including important information on manuscript and graphic submission, are available to download.