Celebrating half a century of Royal Society of Chemistry books

Expert reviewers. Leading authors. Discerning readers. Committed editorial teams.

The Frankfurt Book Fair marks a landmark in our journey as a publisher, as we reach 50 years of in-depth, up-to-date and authoritative coverage across the chemical sciences.

We publish different types of books for a range of audiences and individuals, from critical assessments of the latest advances in a specific research field, to introductions to topics for non-experts, making them valuable references for students, researchers and scientists in academia and industry.

As we celebrate our Golden anniversary, specifically 50 years since the first book in our Specialist Periodical Reports series was released, our publishing programme is thriving, as we continue to support scientists, researchers, students and teachers.

With titles spanning the breadth of the chemical sciences, covering the core disciplines and their related fields – as well as emerging topics – we have built a legacy of high quality, internationally respected books with contributions from all over the world.

Our editors and authors are leading scientists and experts in their profession from across the globe. Our journals, books, databases and literature updating services are home to world-class research. That’s down to the strength of our international publishing community, so together, we’re advancing excellence in the chemical sciences.

What types of books do we produce?

We publish different types of books for all audiences and individuals, from critical assessments of the latest advances in a specific research field, to introductions to topics for non-experts.

Professional reference books

These books are written for researchers, industrialists and postgraduates, and provide comprehensive treatments of key research areas. They cover topics from the fundamental principles to the most recent advances in rapidly-developing fields. Topics include: energy and sustainability, food, health, materials science, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical science

Specialist Periodical Reports (SPRs)

This unique series of books offers annual summaries of the current state of research in a given topic.

Textbooks

Our textbooks provide both subject-specific support for undergraduate and graduate courses, and informative introductions to a field for self-study.

Popular science books

Aimed at general readers, these books introduce people to the chemical sciences, showing their importance and impacts on our lives.

In addition, please contact us if you are interested in working with us to publish a conference proceeding, import, or discuss a co-publication arrangement.

A look back at 50 years of Royal Society of Chemistry books

Our books team have published some fascinating titles over the past half a century. Take a look at some of their highlights – they’ve picked one from each decade.

1960s

Spectroscopic Properties of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds Volume 1

This is one of the first Specialist Periodical Reports - this series provides a unique source of information on a key area of chemistry which continues to grow in importance. The volume is divided up into sections according to the particular spectroscopic technique used. Coverage includes NMR, nuclear quadropole resonance spectroscopy, vibrational spectroscopy and electron diffraction.

1970s

Conservation of resources: a symposium held at the University of Glasgow, 5th-9th April, 1976;

Organised by the Royal Institute of Chemistry and the Industrial Division of the Chemical Society, as part of the Annual Chemical Congress, 1976.

At the time of publication, there was an ongoing debate about the conservation of resources and the fact that some resources can never be renewed. What policies should be pursued in order to find replacements for natural resources as they begin to dwindle and pressure for “fair shares” continue to build up. Sections discussed Problems and Opportunities, Energy Transmission Storage and Management and Energy Efficient Processes for the Chemical Industry.

This was published before the Royal Society of Chemistry published an ebook collection and can only be found in the Library of the RSC and Copyright Libraries. The complete eBook collection is now made up of over 1,500 eBooks – that’s more than 26,000 chapters over 590,000 pages.

1980s

Calixarenes: Volume 1 Monographs in Supramolecular chemistry, Series editor J Fraser Stoddart; 1989

Author C David Gutsche

Calixarenes was the first book to be published in the `Monographs in Supramolecular Chemistry' series and is also the first complete survey available of this rapidly developing field. It provides a fascinating and lively account of the history, development and applications of calixarenes, which are probably the world's most readily available synthetic molecular baskets. These basket shaped compounds possess the ability to hold metal ions, as well as molecules, in their interior and as a result of their extraordinarily easy synthesis from phenols and aldehydes are receiving increasingly wide attention. This book is a must for advanced undergraduates and post-graduates studying bio-organic and supramolecular chemistry.

1990s

Chemistry of Explosives 1st edn (1998)

This concise, easy-to-read book outlines the basic principles needed to understand the chemical mechanisms of explosion. Covering detonation, deflagration, initiation, the latest theories on the production of "hotspots", thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, the text includes detailed formulations and reactions presented with thermochemical calculations to aid understanding.

The history, theory and chemical types of explosives are introduced, along with propellants, pyrotechnics and the most up-to-date information on energetic binders for explosive compositions. Covering all aspects of explosive chemistry from history to manufacturing techniques and formulation, The Chemistry of Explosives is a unique text which introduces difficult subjects in a readable manner. Ideal for A-level students and new graduates with no previous knowledge of explosive materials, it will also be useful to anyone needing succinct information on the subject.

2000s

Molecules of Murder (2008)

Molecules of Murder is about infamous murderers and famous victims; about people like Harold Shipman, Alexander Litvinenko, Adelaide Bartlett, and Georgi Markov. Few books on poisons analyse these crimes from the viewpoint of the poison itself, doing so throws a new light on how the murders or attempted murders were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice.

2010s

The Microbes Fight Back (2016)

Antibiotics are familiar drugs to us all, so familiar that we may take them for granted. They allow us to survive life-threatening infections, and allow us to protect the animals we farm for food. Many antibiotics have now become ineffective against common diseases, and there are few alternative treatments to replace them. In this topical popular science book, Laura Bowater, Professor of Microbiology Education and Engagement at Norwich Medical School, considers the past, present and uncertain future of antibiotics.