For chemistry or chemical technology, the discovery of new compounds having novel molecular functionalities (chemical, physical or biological functionality), the development of efficient synthetic routes leading to these compounds, and the development of evaluation methods for these functionalities are strongly desired. The 116th Committee for Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, referring to this research field as “Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals” and recognizing it as an important field to support science and technology in Japan during the 21st century, is seeking for the discovery of future oriented materials. Through the progress of research on chemistry of functional organic chemicals, we are making efforts to train young scientists who will create fruitful results for future challenges, and will lead science and technology in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, in response to strong demand from industry and academia for an international venue covering the latest research in the field of chemistry of functional organic chemicals, the “International Forum on Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals” is held every 3 years since 1994, providing an opportunity for vigorous discussion and exchange of information in this research field on an international level. Following three years after the last event, this 2009 event “6th International Forum on Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals (IFOC-6)” was held with the goal 1) to present to the world and to have evaluated on a global scale the latest research on chemistry of functional organic chemicals in Japan, 2) to get an insight into the world’s most advanced research on chemistry of functional organic chemicals, and 3) to provide a forum for free discussion among young academics (assistants) and other young researchers (postdoctoral fellows and graduate students) both from Japan and from abroad.

The forum was opened at 9:20 on November 15 with the welcome address by Koji Suzuki, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of IFOC-6, followed by the presentations of four invited speakers until 12:20: Prof. Jean M. J. Fréchet (University of California, Berkeley), Prof. Nobuaki Kambe (Osaka University), Prof. Phil S. Baran (Scripps Research Institute), and Prof. Yoshiki Chujo (Kyoto University). During lunchtime, the steering committee of the 116th Committee for Chemistry of Functional Materials met under the chair of Kazuhiko Saigo. Starting from 13:30, the afternoon session of the forum was held with further six presentations by invited speakers until 17:40: Prof. Tomas Torres (Autónoma University Madrid), Prof. Hideo Nagashima (Kyushu University), Prof. Kazuyoshi Tanaka (Kyoto University), Prof. Chien-Hong Cheng (National Tsing Hua University), Prof. Jun-ichi Yoshida (Kyoto University), and Prof. Yoshiki Katayama (Kyushu University). Finally, 40 participants attended the banquet held between 18:00 and 20:00.

On November 16, the forum continued from 9:30 until 17:30 with presentations given by eight invited speakers: Prof. Mukund Sibi (North Dakota University), Prof. Tamotsu Takahashi (Hokkaido University), Prof. Norbert Krause (Dortmund University of Technology), Prof. Eiji Yashima (Nagoya University), Prof. George M. Whitesides (Harvard University), Prof. Kazuo Takimiya (Hiroshima University), Prof. Takashi Kato (Tokyo University), and Prof. Hirotsugu Kikuchi (Kyusyu University). In between, from 13:30 until 15:00, poster presentations by 40 mainly young researchers were held, accompanied by a lively discussion. Finally, the Vice Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Kohtaro Osakada, closed the forum with his final remarks and the promise to meet again in the future.

Well-known invited chemists as mentioned above, seven from abroad and eleven from Japan, presented their latest research results. Their unique and impressive presentations have a strong scientific impact on the future research of the forum participants. Each presentation was followed by many enthusiastic questions from the audience, so that the allocated time for discussion was overrun. In particular, after every single presentation the questions and useful comments by the world’s most cited chemist, Prof. Whitesides, reminded the lecturer of the importance of chemistry, which further increased the usefulness of the forum for the participants.

During the poster session, the 40 enthusiastic young researchers had the chance to present their latest research topics and to engage in exciting discussions and plentiful information exchange with the invited foreign speakers and other experienced researchers, which was one of the goals of this event.

The reception held in honor of the invited guests, as well as the banquet for all attendees took place in a very friendly atmosphere. During these events, the participants shared their enthusiasm for research on “chemistry of functional organic chemicals” and exchanged further ideas about what topics should be addressed in the near future. Especially during the banquet, young scientists intensively made use of their chance to talk to the invited speakers from overseas and were strongly stimulated.

The speakers from abroad very highly evaluated the research on “chemistry of functional organic chemicals” performed in Japan, both on the quantitative and the qualitative level. In addition, they expressed their hope that such world leading research in this field will continue and pointed out the importance of further expansion.

The results of this forum have been summarized in the book of abstracts, which was distributed to all attendees. The remaining books were provided free of charge to people interested, such as students of The University of Tokyo, who gladly accepted. Additionally, the presented research results are scheduled to be published in professional journals. Finally, an article about this event will be published in the bulletin of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the report of the 116th Committee for Chemistry of Functional Materials of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Recently, the focus of public interest is moving towards environmental issues and the development of new energy sources. The discovery of new compounds, the development of efficient synthetic routes leading to these compounds, and the development of evaluation methods for their functionalities, which is promoted by the 116th Committee for Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, can supply essential technology for the above-mentioned issues. Although the “International Forum on Chemistry of Functional Organic Chemicals” usually takes place every three years, an international symposium co-organized by chemists from Japan and France is planned to be held in 2011. The 116th Committee regards the “chemistry of functional organic chemicals” as a source of scientific innovation for the 21st century, and will continue to make efforts to train young scientists and to cope with future challenges through international symposia.