This Special Collection commemorates the 100th anniversary of Professor Yuri T. Struchkov (1926–1995), a pioneer in the field of small-molecule X-ray crystallography, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and former Vice-President of the International Union of Crystallography. His scientific school laid the foundation for the modern crystallographic tradition in Russia and contributed significantly to structural chemistry worldwide. The collection will highlight state-of-the-art research in: – Molecular and crystal structure of organic, organoelement, and coordination systems; – Electronic structure of molecules, supramolecular systems, and crystal structures; – Interatomic interactions: covalent, coordination, and noncovalent bonding; – Charge density studies and quantum crystallography; – Theoretical foundations of quantum and structural chemistry; – Crystal structure determination: chirality, absolute configuration, twinning, pseudosymmetry, and modulated structures; – Nonroutine structural experiments, including high-pressure, low- and multi-temperature, and precision studies; – Structure and properties of solid-state and soft materials; – Structure and function of biomolecules and their assemblies; – Nucleation, crystallization, crystal growth, and crystal engineering. We especially welcome contributions from researchers working in the broad areas shaped by Struchkov’s legacy—whether through direct academic lineage, intellectual influence, or shared scientific focus. The collection aims to unite both senior and early-career scientists from around the world whose research advances structural chemistry, crystallography, and the theoretical understanding of molecular, supramolecular, and solid-state structure.

Building upon and following the example of our successful column “Paradigms and Paradoxes,” coordinated by Consulting Editor Joel F. Liebman, Structural Chemistry opens a new column, “Foundation of Structural Science” to be coordinated by Istvan Hargittai. This column provides the possibility of contributions dealing with historical aspects, personalia, discussion of general principles of structural chemistry and related areas, and other relevant topics. The title of the new column is broader than structural chemistry on purpose. Our journal has also expanded beyond structural chemistry toward structural biology, areas of physics, and materials science. Crystallography itself has been considered the science of structures already for a long time.

Our past experience shows that quite a few papers that could be considered to belong to this new column have generated rather large, sometimes even record, numbers of downloads. Contributions may be research papers, brief communications, reviews, remembrances, obituaries, accounts of laboratories, and suchlike. Potential contributions should be submitted as any other contribution to our journal, and they will be processed as any other contribution. Please indicate upon submission if the contribution is intended for the column “Foundation of Structural Science.”