XIXth IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry,
Budapest, Hungary, 14–19 July 2002
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Preface
The XIXth IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry was held in Budapest, the
beautiful and pleasant capital of Hungary, on the banks of the Danube.
This biennial symposium was organized on behalf of three international
societies spanning four continents: the Asian Photochemistry Association
(APA); the European Photochemical Association (EPA); and the Inter-American
Photochemical Society (IAPS). The Hungarian Academy of Sciences building,
especially the majestic assembly meeting hall, proved to be a functional
as well as beautiful venue. The poster sessions were held in the art
gallery of the Academy. The participants enjoyed the proverbial hospitality
of the Hungarian people and the famous Hungarian cuisine.
The IUPAC-sponsored photochemistry symposia have long been the focus
of interest of photochemists from the entire globe; they serve as a
forum to present the newest developments in the field and provide opportunities
for scientific contacts, to initiate scientific collaborations, and
to make lasting friendships. Approximately 400 participants from 38
countries discussed current topics in basic and applied photochemistry;
6 African countries had sent delegates. Japan had by far the most delegates
(81); other countries with large delegations included Germany (34),
Russia (28), France, Spain, and USA (20 each), and the host country,
Hungary (14). Overall, more than 60 % of the participants came from
the host continent, Europe, 26 % from Asia, 7 % from the Americas, and
5 % from Africa. While the participation of several African photochemists
is a positive sign deserving further encouragement, the limited representation
of American, particularly South American scientists is regrettable.
Inasmuch as this was a reaction to the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, it should not significantly affect future symposia. If, however,
the limited attendance reflects a lack of funding, this will be a recurring
problem.
The symposium featured 24 plenary and invited lectures, 2 workshops
(4 speakers each) on “Fast Spectroscopy of Biological Systems”and
“Theory and Calculations in Photochemistry” and a panel discussion
(“The Future of Photochemistry ”, 5 panelists); the organizing
committee selected 36 contributed papers. In addition, ca. 280 posters
covered all areas of the photosciences, from the mechanism and theory,
to applications in catalysis, imaging, polymer chemistry, sensitization,
synthesis, spectroscopy, photochemistry in supercritical fluids, and
biological and medical aspects of photochemistry. The poster sessions
were lively, with the younger participants engaged in stimulating discussion
with their more senior colleagues. Significantly, many of the posters
were collaborative efforts between different countries. The meetings,
lectures, and posters were evidence that photochemistry continues to
be a vibrant, healthy, and evolving science.
One highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the Porter Medal
to Joseph Michl (University of Colorado), followed by his lecture “Electronic
structure, photophysics, and photochemistry of oligosilanes”. The
Porter Medal Award Lectures have become a fine tradition in the framework
of the IUPAC symposia.
The next symposium in this series is planned for July 2004 in Granada,
Spain. We hope that the Scientific Chair, M.A. Miranda, Universidad
Politecnica de Valencia, can count on a large participation of scientists
from all continents, where the photosciences are being pursued, including
Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
Piotr Piotrowiak1
Heinz D. Roth2
Conference Editors
1 Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University,
Newark, NJ 07102-1811, USA; 2 Department of Chemistry and Chemical
Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08854-8087, USA
International Scientific Organizing Committee:
G.A. Argüello (Argentina); F. Brouwer (Netherlands); T. Bérces
(Hungary); E.A. Chandross (USA); A. Chibisov (Russia); L. Flamigni (Italy);
A. Griesbeck (Germany); J. Hofkens (Belgium); H. Inoue (Japan); I. Lukac
(Slovak Republic); M. Miranda (Spain); J. Nyitrai (Hungary); H.D. Roth
(USA); K. Schanze (USA); J. Scheffer (Canada); M.-L.Viriot (France);
R. Weiss (USA); D. Worrall (UK); V. Yam (PR China).
Local Organizing Committee:
J. Nyitrai, A. Horváth, O. Horváth, T. Bérces,
L. Biczók, T. Vidóczy, L. Wojnárovits.
