Table of Contents - December 22, 2003


			C&EN will not publish an issue on Dec. 29, 2003. Our next issue will be Jan. 5, 2004. C&EN staff members wish all of our readers a joyous holiday season.

NEWS OF THE WEEK
			BUYING CELANESE If investors agree, Blackstone could take Celanese private for $3.8 billion.
			AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL TO DOWNSIZE Industry trade group restructuring follows loss of some member companies.
			FLUORESCENT PLASTICS Color-changing polymer blends may work as sensors or antitampering devices.
			LINGERING OIL Review paper argues impacts of Exxon Valdez spill are lasting longer than expected.
			AGREEABLE CLIMATE UN climate-change meeting forges new agreements on Kyoto protocol details.
			EMISSIONS PROPOSALS EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt proposes cuts in air emissions of pollutants.
			SOLUTIA BANKRUPT Legacy liabilities for Monsanto spin-off lead to insolvency.
			MARS MISSIONS Multiple landings this winter should yield a better understanding of the red planet.
			INDUSTRY R&D Industrial R&D spending will likely continue to decline in 2004. (Expanded online edition)

CHEMISTRY HIGHLIGHTS 2003

While the chemical industry faced another challenging year, research advanced mightily in 2003, from sensors and nanotubes to combichem and bioengineering chemistry.

2003 INDUSTRY REVIEW

2003 RESEARCH REVIEW

BUSINESS

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EUROPEAN BIOTECH
Vienna conference showcases a growing industry.

GOVERNMENT & POLICY

GOVERNMENT CONCENTRATES

SPACE STATION
NASA works to continue science research in space while shuttles are grounded.

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY CONCENTRATES

RNA INTERFERENCE
Chemists have a pivotal role in turning RNAi into a viable therapeutic.

JACS AT 125
Karplus equation links NMR coupling constant to molecular geometry.

ACS COMMENTS

THE END...AND, THE BEGINNING: REFLECTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS
It has been said that when a door closes, a window always opens

A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE

ACS NEWS
			JOHN CRUM RETIRES On the eve of his retirement, the 20-year ACS executive director reflects on his career and the people who helped to shape it
			ACS-PRF Grants For 2003 Announced
			STN Express Analysis Edition Launched
			WCC Travel Grants Announced