The problems being addressed by inorganic chemistry in the 1990s will
continue to be challenges well into the 21st century. For example, coo
rdination chemistry will continue to provide compounds with unusual pr
operties and uses, and will become an increasingly important component
in bioinorganic chemistry. Nuclear technology will continue to challe
nge the inorganic chemist in issues related to the treatment of nuclea
r wastes and the cleanup of environmental contamination. Organometalli
c chemistry will continue as one of the most active areas of catalysis
research, especially in the chemical, energy, pharmaceuticals and pol
lution control industries. Solid-state chemistry will advance with the
growing requirements for better batteries, electronic components, pho
tovoltaic devices, etc., and the synthetic procedures being conducted
at high pressures and temperatures will assist the needs of geochemist
s. Synthetic inorganic chemistry will tend to be more directed to meet
ing specific goals, such as new compounds as reagents in organic synth
esis, compounds with superconducting properties and inorganic polymers
with unusual mechanical and thermal properties. New methods to meet t
he needs of the production of inorganic chemicals will involve environ
mental friendly synthesis. Thus inorganic chemistry will continue in i
mportance to meet the needs for chemical, energy and materials product
ion.