I am not surprised, but am very pleased, to learn that Dalton Transactions has been highlighted in this way.  For a number of years, the members of the Editorial Board and Editorial Office have been working hard to develop the quality and content of the journal.  We have started to see the results of these efforts—the impact factor for the journal has been steadily rising for a number of years now.

“Dalton Transactions' main contribution to the field of chemistry is the way that it brings together the highest quality inorganic chemistry research for the benefit of all chemists.”

Inorganic chemistry is one of the foundations of chemical research, so it does not surprise me that the RSC’s inorganic chemistry journal is highly cited and makes a significant contribution to today’s chemical research.

  How would you account for the increased citation rate of Dalton Transactions?

Inorganic chemistry articles will always be citable!  However, we have seen an increase in popularity, and number of published articles, in the areas of coordination networks and bio-inorganic chemistry.  Dalton Transactions has particular strengths in these fields—most recently this was recognized by the journal’s inclusion in MEDLINE.  The profile of the journal outside Europe has increased significantly over the past five years, and this is reflected, I think, in the increased citation rate.

  Was there a change in policy or editorial direction that might account for this?

We have focussed editorial attention in two main areas: one has been the subject coverage and content of the journal, ensuring that the journal is a true representation of the high-quality work happening at the forefront of inorganic research.  The other has been the acceptance level for submitted articles:  the acceptance bar has been rising over the last few years, which means that only the best work is published.

Additionally, we are continually looking to evolve the editorial policy of the journal.  Developments for Dalton Transactions in recent years have included the introduction of Dalton Perspectives (review-like articles) and more recently, Dalton Frontiers (short, personal accounts of emerging areas).  These innovations continue with a major development for Dalton Transactions next year, an increase in the publication frequency, making it the first weekly journal in the field!  This significant development is introduced to reflect the growing strength of the journal.

  What historical factors have contributed to the success of Dalton Transactions?

The relationship between Dalton Transactions and the RSC is more than just that of a journal and its publisher.  From the journal’s roots as part of the Journal of the Chemical Society, first published in 1841, to the present day, it has closely aligned its aims with that of Europe’s premier society for the chemical sciences—to serve the scientific community. I feel that this has enabled the journal to be considered by inorganic chemists as an integral part of their scientific research.

More recently, the journal’s close links with the scientific community have been most evident through the collaboration with the RSC Dalton Division, to host Dalton Discussion meetings.  These meetings provide a unique forum for the discussion of the leading hot topics in the field.  Peer-reviewed articles from these meetings are then published in themed issues of the journal—both the meetings and the theme issues have proved to be extremely popular.

  Have there been specific developments in the fields served by Dalton Transactions that may have contributed?

It is difficult to single out just one or two specific significant developments from the broad field of inorganic chemistry.  However, I would say that some of the most significant innovative developments have included the expansion in the fields of molecular magnetism, and bioinorganic chemistry, in particular that related to metalloenzymes. 

  What, in your view, is this journal’s main significance or contribution in the field of Chemistry?

Dalton Transactions’ main contribution to the field of chemistry is the way that it brings together the highest quality inorganic chemistry research for the benefit of all chemists.  It also strives to provide the latest, and best, online services: authors benefit from a fully electronic submission facility, whilst readers (and authors) enjoy the enhanced functionality and added value that ESI (electronic supplementary information) offers.  

  How do you see your field(s) evolving in the next few years?

The very nature of inorganic chemistry means that it will underpin many of the future developments in the chemical sciences.  In particular, however, I can see more attention being given to inorganic materials, particularly where they can be used in applications such as hydrogen storage materials.  Further progress in the understanding of the influence of metals in the workings of the human body will also be made. 

  What role do you see for your journal?

Quite simply, to provide the best services for authors and readers.

Dalton Transactions
Dr. Jamie Humphrey, BA MA CSci CChem MRSC, Editor
Royal Society of Chemistry, publishers
Cambridge, UK

Dalton Transactions's most-cited paper with 129 cites to date: Janiak, C., "Engineering coordination polymers towards applications," (Dalton Trans. 14:2781-2804, 2003). Source: ISI Essential Science Indicators

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