Announcement: Seventeenth Conference on Coordination Chemistry Coordination Chemistry at the Turn of the Century

This historical overview is confined to the major discoveries in coordination chemistry, both experimental and theoretical, in the evolution of the discipline, and many interesting but minor events must necessarily be omitted. It is illustrative and selective rather than exhaustive, and I have had to omit many worthy contributions. Because earlier, more temporally distant works are probably less well known to you than are later works that are related more directly to your work, I shall deal with them in greater detail. Also, because science advances by eliminating erros, I have included a few unsuccessful Contributions. Furthermore, in keeping with my own interests, I have emphasized stereochemical contributions. I have included the countries of origin of some of the contributors to exphasize the international nature of science and of this conference. Werner's monumental achievements occupied a central role and dominated the first decades of the century. Even today they are still the basis for the latest developments. Therefore I shall treat his contributions in some depth.

As a rule, the weather in the region is very pleasant in the first decade of June, with temperatures of 20-25 C. Since the Castle is about 60 km far from Bratislava, bus transport from Bratislava to Smolenice and retum will be organized on arrival and departure days, respectively. Bratislava can be reached by plane, train, bus (from Vienna or Prague) or ship (from Vienna).
The official language of the Conference will be English.

SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE
A Structure and reactivity of coordination and organometallic compounds (Synthesis, structure, stability, kinetics, photochemistry, catalysis) B Supramolecular coordination chemistry (Solid state systems, host-guest chemistry, self-assembling compexes dendrimers, inorganic super structures, molecular modeling) C Complexes in biological systems, human medicine, and environment (Natural and model bio-complexes, structure-function relationship of therapeutic agents and enzymes, catalyzed destruction of pollutants) D Applied inorganic chemistry (Supramolecular devices, magnetic materials, superconductors, magnetic, electrical and optical properties of inorganic and coordination compounds, applications of inorganic catalysts) SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME The scientific programme is supposed to be divided into four working days. Each of the topics will be introduced by a plenary lecture (45 minutes) delivered by an invited lecturer. The other participants may present their contributions to the scientific programme as plenary lectures lasting 30 minutes, discussion included section lectures lasting 15 minutes, discussion included.
Young scientists are offered to use the possibility to present their results as posters. However, each participant can deliver only one lecture/poster. CONTRIBUTED PAPERS Each participant is expected to submit one paper only. One-page abstracts of all contributions will be published in the Proceedings of the 17th Conference on Coordination Chemistry. Those participants who wish present a 30 minutes lecture are required to submit their contribution as a six pages paper that will be published in a monograph entitled "Coordination Chemistry at the Turn of the Century" that will be printed by the Slovak Technical University Press in Bratislava. The papers will be reviewed by referees and their recommendations will be taken into consideration by the editors. The contributions of those who intend to present a poster will be published in the Proceedings only. The participants will receive the Proceedings as well as.the monograph together with reprints of their papers before the Conference at the registration. SOCIAL PROGRAMME A social programme, including a welcome party and final banquet, is planned. Besides that, a halfday optional excursion (cultural and social event) in the surroundings of Smolenice will be organized.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for all participants will be arranged in Smolenice Castle. Since there are only 90 beds available for participants in the Castle the number of participants is obviously limited to this number. Consequently, those applicants will be preferred who show their interest to participate and send all required materials in due time.

FEES
1) The registration fee is 150 USD. This sum will cover all expenses connected with monograph, proceedings of the conference, reprints, conference materials, services.
2) TheConference fee is 150 USD. It includes all expenses for board in Smolenice Castle (three complete meals per day, coffee & tea), social programme, services during the conference, travel expenses from Bratislava to Smolenice and retum 3) The lodging in Smolenice Castle will be paid separately. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the sum to be paid for five nights shouhld not exceed 200 USD (depending on the category of rooms).

SECOND CIRCULAR
The Second Circular will be distributed at the end of October 1998.