Dear Readers,

Another year brings us another issue of The Chemist published by the American Institute of Chemists (AIC). Recent developments have brought us new discoveries in the field such as the development of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for energy storage, dissipation, sensing, and environmental applications. Moreover, the use of AlphaFold developed by Google DeepMind to predict protein folding and three dimensional structures of proteins from their amino acid primary structure sequences has also revolutionized protein structure prediction and helped address “the protein folding problem.” These were just two developments from the last two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry over the last two years. The development of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) has also revolutionized the chemical sciences as it has revolutionized almost every other field of study as well.

The current issue of The Chemist highlights many contributions on natural product synthesis, characterization, and analysis, which has been a recent and recurring theme of this journal. Some of these products include Aerial Part Extracts from Jaundea pinnata, Aniline impacts on human skin, Oil Recovered Over Nanocrystalline Cellulose, Stem Bark of Cordia Millenii, and Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb Extracts from Its Leaves and Seeds, Rice Husk, and many others. As many of our contributing authors are from all over the world, we learned about the nutritional and healing properties of exotic plants from various locations.

We also learned about synthetic organic chemistry from Phenyl-2-chloropropionate synthesis, Crosslinked Alginate–Acrylic Acid–PVA Hydrogel for Efficient Trypan Blue Removal, Brilliant Blue Dye, Schiff Base-Metronidazole Derivatives, and Methyl Anthracenes. Other studies included: Fatty Acids Profiling and Skincare Formulation from Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, analysis of Novalac, and a study on aluminum foil waste.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) has just recently celebrated its 150th year anniversary, while the American Institute of Chemists is still thriving and still awards the Chemical Pioneer and Gold Medal awards. This is a testament to the enduring nature of chemistry in everyday society.

Best wishes in the upcoming year.

Sincerely,
Alexander G. Zestos and Nayiri M. Kaissarian
Co-Editors of The Chemist

Theoretical Structural Analysis and IR Spectroscopic Differences of Constitutional Isomers of 4-Bromo-Di-tert-Butyl Aniline and Their Impact on Human Skin
Muhammad Aziz, Nazima Yousaf Khan, Asim Nisar

Recycling and Valorization of Spent Lubricatin Oil Recovered Over Nanocrystalline Cellulose Feyisike E. Odofin, Maryam A. Abdurrazaq, Emmanuel A. Taiwo, Temitope A. Hamzat, Mariam T. Baker, Olubunmi Atolani

Chemical Charaterization and Acetylcholinestarase Inhibitory Activity of Non-Polar Component of the Stem Bark of Cordia millenii
Emmanuel A. Taiwo, Oluwadasolami E. Elugoke, Olabunmi Atolani

Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Two Juniperus excelsa M.Bieb Extracts From Its Leaves and Seeds
Manar Abdullah Abou Hassan, Mariam Abdul Razak Drakli

Synthesis of Phenyl-2-chloropropionate via the Reaction of Phenol with 2-Choloropropionyl Chloride
Abdushukurov Anvar Kabirovich, Mamatkulov Nematillo Narzullaevich, Ochilov Mansur, Akhmedova Kumush Shakhobiddin kizi

Crosslinked Alginate-Acrylic Acid-PVA Hydrogel for Efficient Trypan Blue Removal: Swelling Behavior, Adsorption Isotherms, and Regeneration Performance
Haider Ali Dhaher, Aseel M Aljeboree, Khawal K. Jasim

Highly Adsorbent Derived from Bioresources Residue: Rice Husk-Treated Surface for the Adsorption of Methyl Violet Dye from Aqueous Solution
Njah Kadhim Nimr, Bushra Esmail Alkhalili, Alaa Mohammed Mahmood, Hassan Kahhim Nimr, Mohammed Abed Jawad, Aseel M. Aljeboree

Adsorption of Brilliant Blue Dye by Synthesized g-C₃N₄: Characterization and Adsorption Parameters Insight
Manal Muhi Murad, Ayad F. Alkaim

Synthesis, Evaluation of Antomicronial Activity, and Docking Study of Schiff Base-Metronidazole Derivatives
Aya Yaseen Mahmood Alabdali, Maha Salih Hussein

Selective Nitric Acid Oxidation of Methylanthracenes Drived from Pyrolysis Tar: Mechanism amd Structure-Reactivity Relationships
Nuraliev Shukhrat Bakhtiyorovich, Nuraliev Samatjon Rakhmonkulovich, Berdiyarov Uktam Mengturaevich, Nurmanov Suvankul Erkhanovich, Khamidov Anvar Mamadalievich

Fatty Acids Profiling and Skincare Formulation from Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil
Olubunmi Atolani, Mayam Omowumi Bakare, Taiwo Janet Ogundoro, Ezekiel Adebiyi

Study of the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Reinforced with Different Proportions of Novolac
Zahra Marwan Mohmad Abdalla, Ebtehag Z. Sulyman

Study of the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Reinforced with Different Proportions of Aluminum Foil
Noor sadeeq Yahya, Ebtehag Z. Sulyman