ISSOC-VIII forms part of a series of bilateral scientific meetings between Italy and Spain, held alternatively in both countries every two years. Previous bilateral Symposia took place at Valencia (1996), Lecce (1998), Malaga (2000), Perugia (2002), Santiago de Compostela (2004), Taormina (2006) and Oviedo (2008). These meetings are sponsored by the Organic Chemistry Division of both the Società Chimica Italiana and the Real Societad Espanola de Quimica.