This superb theme issue of Journal of Materials Chemistry is guest edited by Tony Cheetham, Mike Klein and Swapan Pati.

C N R Rao is one of the world's leading chemists and his contributions to the field of solid state and materials chemistry are remarkable for their originality, enormous diversity and extraordinary prolificacy. 

This issue provides an interesting and varied selection of materials chemistry papers that are linked to or inspired by the work of Professor Rao. This is a fitting tribute to Professor Rao, who has served on the Journal of Materials Chemistry Advisory Board for many years and been very supportive of the journal. 

Contributors to this issue include Kenneth Poeppelmeier, Reshef Tenne, Martha Greenblatt, Richard Catlow and many more.