The Central Role of the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society within the Editorial Activities of the SBQAlmost every major scientific society carries out some form of editorial activity within its field of expertise, aiming to promote and disseminate reliable findings and impactful knowledge among researchers around the world. In chemistry, giants like the American Chemical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry promote the circulation of the world’s leading chemistry journals, setting trends such as launching new journals in response to the emergence of new thematic areas. These societies also focus on engaging with the scientific community, including promotion open-access journals, and undertaking enthusiastic and resource-intensive efforts to expand their activities globally.
Since its creation in 1977, the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) has been instrumental in advancing chemical science in Brazil. One of its primary goals, clearly outlined in its bylaws, has been to promote the dissemination of scientific chemical knowledge through the maintenance of robust editorial activities. Although SBQ’s first journal was Química Nova (QN), the Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (JBCS) has become its most impressive publication, as it reaches a wide international audience, while QN primarily publishes articles in Portuguese.
Founded in 1990, the JBCS has grown to become the largest chemistry journal in Latin America and one of the most prestigious in the global chemical community, even achieving an impact factor greater than 2 in the recent past. With an average of 230 articles published per year over the last eight years the JBCS has also had an enormous influence on the development of chemistry as a strategic science in Brazil and an incredibly significant impact on the Brazilian National Graduate Education System.1
To achieve the level of success it enjoys today, the journey has been challenging and continues to face numerous obstacles. JBCS was founded during a period of significant scientific transformation in Brazil, when the country’s scientific output was still nascent and struggled to gain recognition internationally. In its early years, its performance was modest, as few national journals could rival foreign publications in quality and reach. Over time, however, the JBCS evolved into more than just a scientific journal - it became a catalyst for change within the Brazilian chemical community and related fields. In this context, SBQ’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence and promoting knowledge as a public good is reflected in the journal’s remarkable trajectory.
As a result of the JBCS’s indexing in reputable databases like Web of Science, Scopus, SciELO, and SciFinder, the journal now receives submissions from researchers all around the world, establishing Brazil as an important center for the dissemination of chemical research results. One of the main factors contributing to JBCS’s success is the caliber of its editing. The journal has made significant investments in a stringent peerreview process since its founding, ensuring the highest scientific standards for its publications. Additionally, it has drawn contributions from renowned authors from both Brazil and abroad. Its open-access policy implemented thirty-five years ago, ensures that articles are accessible to researchers and institutions worldwide, regardless of economic barriers, further increasing their visibility and potential for citations.
However, despite JBCS’s success, the journal still faces challenges inherent to the modern scientific environment. Some of these challenges require creative solutions and ongoing investment, including competition from major international publishers, the increasing volume of submissions, and the demand for faster editorial processes. Additionally, the continuous monitoring of the journal’s scientometric indexes remains an issue, necessitating legitimate citation campaigns for its published papers, focusing initially on research groups in Brazil. It is crucial that renowned Brazilian and South American scientists, mainly, value the work done over the past decades to strengthen our most important chemistry journal and take immediate action to support the JBCS.
SBQ has demonstrated its strong ability to advance and compete in the editorial market of chemical science. A sustained dedication to the journal’s development is demonstrated by recent measures, such as updating the submission platform and implementing more environmentally friendly editorial procedures. The JBCS’s broad range of topics is another key factor. As a generalist chemistry journal, it allows the publication of contemporary research addressing global issues such as healthcare advancements, climate change, and the growth of renewable energy.
During the last three and a half decades, numerous editors, associate editors, authors, reviewers, and editorial assistants have acted as outstanding team players for the JBCS, contributing to building the journal we know today. Now, with the transition to a new editor-in-chief - with a key focus on exploring “what is the value of the JBCS?”2 - a new game begins. The JBCS will remain a key player in SBQ’s editorial operations moving forward, enhancing Brazil’s standing in the world of chemistry and advancing science and technology to benefit society.
References
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1 Zarbin, A. J.; Quim. Nova 2017, 40, 613. [Crossref]
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2 Neto, B. A. D.; J. Braz. Chem. Soc. 2025, 36, e-20240217. [Crossref]
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