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1972, he was appointed as “Chargé de Cours” to head the newly established Laboratory of Organic
Chemistry in Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix (now University of Namur), Belgium, a
position he held until 1997. Subsequently, he became the Director of the Laboratoire de Chimie Organique
de Synthèse (1997-2008). Notably, he was exceptionally promoted to a full professor in 1975 at the
remarkable age of 33. Currently, Prof. Krief holds the status of an emeritus professor at the University of
Namur (Belgium). Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Karachi (HEJ
Research Institute, Pakistan) and a UNESCO research fellow at iThemba-Lab in Cape Town (South Africa).

Alain worked on a number of research subjects, demonstrating an abiding interest in bioorganic chemistry
and the mechanism of sterol biosynthesis with an outstanding output of research that was summarized in
more than 350 papers. Here, I would like to highlight his significant achievements, particularly in the field
of organoselenium chemistry. While his work in cyclopropane chemistry and pyrethroids, including the
innovative synthesis of chrysanthemic acid and its derivatives, has been notable, it is his organoselenium
research that stands out. Alain Krief’s pioneering efforts in organoselenium chemistry have transformed the
perception and utility of selenium in synthetic chemistry, elevating it from a neglected element to a key
player in the field.

Alain Krief’s pioneering work in organoselenium chemistry has fundamentally advanced the field,
expanding synthetic capabilities and developing key reagents and methods for modern synthesis. His
contributions have been widely recognized with awards and leadership roles, reflecting his significant
impact on chemical synthesis. As Executive Director of the IOCD, Krief fostered international collaboration
and initiatives that promoted chemical sciences in developing countries, advancing education, sustainable
practices, and research capacity. His efforts at IOCD have democratized scientific knowledge and
highlighted chemistry’s role in global development.

In this Special Issue honoring him, we have assembled six papers contributed by authors from around the
world. The first article is from a collaboration between my research groups in Belgium and China, focusing
on the field of energy storage materials and battery technology, especially related to lithium-selenium (Li-
Se) batteries. Li-Selenium batteries have been recognized as promising next-generation Lithium batteries
[1]
with high energy density . The second paper by Prof. M. Iqbal Choudhary and colleagues provides a
comprehensive review of 25 years of biotransformation studies on bioactive compounds at the ICCBS. It
highlights the synthesis of new analogs with enhanced pharmacokinetic profiles and biological activities, as
well as the potential of biocatalytic transformations in creating structurally altered compounds for
[2]
therapeutic applications . Prof. Stefano A. Cerri from Italy in his article celebrates Professor Alain Krief’s
visionary contribution to the future of chemistry through his integration of information science, knowledge
transfer, and human learning, highlighting his ability to bridge the gap between chemistry and other
disciplines for the advancement of science” . We are deeply grateful to Prof. Vivian Wing-Wah Yam, the
[3]
current and first female president of the IOCD, for her valuable contribution entitled “Luminescent
alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine-containing conjugated polymers: synthesis, characterization and
photophysical studies”. Her study synthesizes and characterizes alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine-containing
conjugated polymers, revealing their unique dual emissive properties and thermo-responsive luminescence
changes, which pave the way for the development of metal-containing polymeric systems with potential
[4]
applications as thermochromic sensors . The next review paper from Prof. Wei Yan from Singapore and
China on “Selenium nanomaterials enabled flexible and wearable electronics” is highly appreciated. This
review illustrates the huge application of selenium nanomaterials . Prof. Hisashi Yamamoto contributed a
[5]
feature article on “From Lewis acids to peptide chemistry”; this article outlines the author’s lab’s
advancement in peptide synthesis, transitioning from Lewis acid catalysis to developing a substrate-