NJC is a forum for the publication of high-quality, original and significant work that is of wide general appeal. The journal, owned by the CNRS of France and published by the RSC since 1998, has extended the formats available to authors from full papers and letters to include Opinion articles and, from 2004, Perspective review articles. Perspectives are usually invited from younger prize-winning scientists who present their work and ideas, setting these in the context of the work of others