DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202000023 100 Years of Macromolecular Science N. Gabriel Lemcoff,* [a] Charles E. Diesendruck,* [b] and Ehud Keinan* [b] The year 2020 is very special for polymer science. One hundred years ago, Staudinger, considered by many the father of polymer chemistry, published his famous manuscript “Über Polymerisation”, describing several polymerization reactions such as the polycondensation of dicrotonic esters, as well as the polymerization of formaldehyde and styrene. [1] In 1922, he coined the term “macromolecules”, which we still use to this day to describe covalent polymers. [2] However, back in those days, polymers, as described by Berzelius, had a completely different meaning; [3] therefore, Staudinger’s work was not very well received by the chemical community, to say the least. [4] Indeed, Staudinger had to embark on a personal crusade in order to gain support for his concept of covalent macro- molecules, as chemists at the time did not accept that molecules above 5 kDa could be made. Staudinger’s pioneer- ing work was eventually recognized when he received the 1953 Nobel Prize in chemistry “for his discoveries in the field of macromolecular chemistry”. Therefore, following our previous issues of Rosarium Philosophorum on Physical Organic Chemistry, Structural Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Chemical Biology, this year, the Israel Journal of Chemistry opens with a new Rosarium Philosophorum on Macromolecular Chemistry, in which leaders in the field describe key historical contributions, their own contributions and personal views, as well as their perspectives on the future of polymer science. The result is a marvelous compilation that can serve as a guide for young (and less young) chemists looking to contribute to this important and impactful aspect of chemistry. It is also a short history lesson for those just curious to learn more about the beautiful chemistry started by Staudinger. We have collected several important points from the various contributions to this Rosarium: Luscombe, Russel et al. describe the view of the IUPAC Polymer Division concerning the role of polymers in society, starting from the time preceding Staudinger, but highlighting the important role Staudinger’s vision played in defining macromolecules. These ideas allowed for the development of new materials without which our lives would be significantly more difficult. The history of polymers and macromolecules within the annals of IUPAC is also summarized. Referring to the role of polymers and polymer science in society, they mention both the positive aspects and the current challenges, especially those related to environmental impact. They also forecast some of the expected advances in polymer science for the next 30 years. Baris Kiskan and Yusuf Yagci take us back in history to Leo H. Baekeland and Bakelite, one of the most important polymeric materials ever invented. The invention of the first synthetic thermoset polymer paved the way for the develop- ment of phenolic resins. As a curiosity, their account includes the cover of Time magazine from 1924 featuring Baekeland, one of the few practicing chemists to have gained this distinction. Kiskan and Yagci explain the importance of the synthesis conditions to the properties of phenolic resins, including the ratio of phenol to formaldehyde, the catalyst system and the reaction temperature and pH. They detail the effects and types of curing methodologies and review some of the chemical modifications typically used to enhance material properties, such as long term thermo-oxidative stability, high modulus or high char yields. A particularly interesting resin is obtained when bisoxazolines are used as additional cross- linking agents, affording materials with properties suitable even for the aerospace industry. The account highlights the use of renewable sources as starting materials and the emergence of polybenzoxazines as competitors to the more established Novolak resins. The authors conclude that phenolic resins and their applications will continue to develop and expand during their second century of existence. Takuzo Aida and Bert E. W. Meijer describe the full circle achieved with the amazing results obtained in the field of supramolecular polymers. This is a very interesting story, given that during Staudinger’s time, polymers, rubbers etc. were considered non-covalent aggregates of small molecules showing colloidal behavior. With the acceptance of Stau- dinger’s concept of macromolecules, non-covalent interac- tions, which play an enormous role in the structure and [a] N. G. Lemcoff Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel Phone: + 972-8-6461196 E-mail: lemcoff@bgu.ac.il [b] C. E. Diesendruck, E. Keinan The Schulich Faculty of Chemistry Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa, 32000, Israel phone: + 972-4-8293664 E-mail: charles@technion.ac.il keinan@technion.ac.il Editorial Isr. J. Chem. 2020, 60, 6 – 8 © 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim 6