Summary
Inorganic chemistry encompasses the study of the synthesis, structure, bonding and reactivity of compounds that do not centre on C–H frameworks. It embraces main‐group elements, transition metals, f‐block species, molecular solids and extended materials, exploiting ionic, covalent, metallic and non‐covalent interactions. Insights into orbital symmetry, ligand design and electron distribution now guide the rational assembly of catalysts, functional materials and energy devices. Advances in spectroscopy, diffraction and computation permit atom‐resolved characterisation, while engineered solvents and earth‐abundant metals drive sustainable routes for catalysis, separations and resource recovery. From metal–organic frameworks and solid electrolytes to metal clusters and biomimetic centres, inorganic chemistry underpins innovations in clean energy, environmental remediation and molecular imaging.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have introduced a nickel-catalysed protocol that merges activated olefins, alkyl halides and chlorogermanes in one operation to forge both C–Ge and C–C bonds. This modular approach accommodates diverse electrophiles and functional groups, enabling late-stage incorporation of germanium motifs into complex scaffolds without precious-metal reagents.
Complementary work has shown that simple, earth-abundant bases such as potassium hydroxide or potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide efficiently mediate the rapid assembly of germasiloxanes and alkynylgermanes. This base-promoted strategy circumvents metal catalysts and specialised ligands, furnishing versatile organogermanium platforms for further elaboration.
On the structural side, an experimental‐theoretical comparison has validated that an electron-density contour at 0.0016 atomic units provides a universal boundary for atoms and ions. By correlating these iso-density surfaces with thermochemical phase data across more than a hundred molecules, researchers have established a direct link between quantum-chemical definitions and macroscopic observables.
Topic trend for the past 5 years
The graph below shows the article count in Nature Index journals for inorganic chemistry.
* The ‘Current Index’ represents data for a 12-month rolling window, the current window is 1 May 2025 - 30 April 2026.
Technical terms
Deep eutectic solvent: A low-melting mixture of a quaternary ammonium salt and a hydrogen-bond donor, characterised by tunable polarity and negligible vapour pressure.
Iso-density surface: A three-dimensional contour of constant electron density used to define atomic and molecular boundaries in computational chemistry.
Ptychography: A coherent diffraction imaging method in which overlapping illuminated regions produce redundant data for robust nanoscale phase retrieval.
Encounter complex (ion pair): A transient association of oppositely charged ions held by long-range electrostatic attraction prior to chemical transformation.
C–Ge bond-forming catalysis: Strategies, often nickel- or base-promoted, that install organogermanium functionalities via simultaneous C–Ge and C–C bond construction.
Notable articles in inorganic chemistry
- Origin of fast ion diffusion in super-ionic conductors. Nature Communications (2017).
- Rapid room-temperature synthesis of nanocrystalline spinels as oxygen reduction and evolution electrocatalysts. Nature Chemistry (2010).
About these summaries
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Research
Position of Inorganic Chemistry in Nature Index by Count
Leading institutions
| Institution | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) | 108 | 32.51 |
| Jilin University (JLU) | 31 | 16.76 |
| French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) | 87 | 16.3 |
| Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres | 38 | 15.42 |
| Henan University (HENU) | 17 | 13.92 |
| Peking University (PKU) | 44 | 13.41 |
| Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) | 20 | 11.83 |
| Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) | 16 | 11.83 |
| Tsinghua University | 28 | 9.89 |
| Dalian University of Technology (DUT) | 16 | 9.75 |
Collaboration
Top 5 leading collaborators in Inorganic Chemistry
Collaborating institutions
Note: Hover over the bars to view details about each institution's Share.
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