Brief history of ISMEC:
ISMEC was born in 1972 as the Gruppo di Termodinamica dei Complessi. The aim was to coordinate research covering the thermodynamics of metal complexes and to promote activities directed towards the growth of knowledge in this field.
In 1973 held its first meeting in Parma.
In 1989, in Modena, it became the Italian-Spanish (or Spanish-Italian) and Mediterranean Congress on Thermodynamics of Metal Complexes (ISMEC or SIMEC), with annual meetings starting in Peñíscola (Spain) in 1990 and from then on alternating between Italy and Spain.
From the 2010 meeting held in Bilbao, the participation was widened at an international level and took the name of International Symposium on Metal Complexes.
The accomplishments of the ISMEC Group include the harmonization of diverse methodologies in the study of metal complex thermodynamics, the development of different experimental techniques, global adoption of computational methods, and the establishment of International Schools. Over the years, these schools have played a pivotal role in training outstanding European scientists in this field and have facilitated numerous fruitful collaborations.
The actual name International Symposium on Thermodynamics of Metal Complexes was selected by the ISC members in 2024 to better reflect the current topics.
The ISMEC symposium:
This well-appreciated series of international conferences covers different aspects of solution chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics of metal complexes in the fields of analytical, biomedical, environmental, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Main topics include, but are not limited to:
- Complexation thermodynamics and kinetics
- Solution equilibria and coordination chemistry
- Complexation processes in supramolecular chemistry
- Metal-based reactivity and catalysis
- Metal-complex interactions with biomolecules
- Metals in diseases: transport, homeostasis and toxicity
- Metal-based drugs: diagnosis and therapy
- Metal complexes of environmental and biological interests
- Nanostructured metal complexes
- Supramolecular assemblies in solution
- Analytical methods and sensors based on complexation equilibria
- Computer methods for equilibrium analysis
The ISMEC conference aims to provide a valuable discussion forum on recent advances on the above mentioned areas.
In addition to lectures covering a wide range of topics, a poster session will facilitate discussions in an open atmosphere, providing multiple opportunities for informal discussions in the afternoon and evenings, provides an ideal forum for attendees to brainstorm as well as to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.
Fostering new collaborations among researchers from diverse backgrounds with complementary skills and goals is of great importance. Scientists working in any of the aforementioned fields are encouraged to join the group by contacting info@ismecgroup.org with the subject “Subscribe” (type “Unsubscribe” if you would like to be removed from the Group).
The International Scientifc Committee (ISC):
The ISC is consituted by 10 members (Guidelines from 2021):
- The President,
- The Former President,
- The last three and the future two ISMEC Congress Chairs of Organizing Committees (or by another representative suggested by Chairs),
- Three members appointed by President and agreed by the other ISC members. In case of double eligibility conditions, an additional member taken from past congresses (in order of edition) will be appointed.
No more than one member per group/university, excluding Presidents, can be admitted in ISC.
The admission of other members in ISC must be requested and voted by the majority of ISC members.
ISC plans, supervises and give addresses to all ISMEC Group activities, including those of other Scientific Committees (SCs) of events and initiatives.
All decisions taken must be approved by the majority of ISC members.