The CNR National Chemical Library
The CNR National Chemical Library (Chemoteca Nazionale, CN) was established in 2024 as a distributed research infrastructure within the Department of Chemical Sciences and Materials Technologies (DSCTM), with the aim of systematically organizing, preserving, and enhancing collections of non-commercial chemical compounds developed by CNR researchers. The CNI is a key partner in the European Federation of National Academic Compound Collections (EU-FNACC), a pan-European initiative designed to connect national research infrastructures and promote the sharing, interoperability, and valorization of academic small-molecule collections. Its overarching goal is to strengthen Europe’s capacity for the discovery and development of new materials and drugs by integrating unique chemical resources, complementary expertise, and advanced technological platforms, thereby supporting biomedical research, innovation, and scientific and industrial competitiveness.
Within this framework, ISOF leads the Bologna hub, one of the three initial territorial nodes of the CN. The digital infrastructure has been developed through the adoption of the Lg-Chimio management software, the activation of the DSCTM web server supporting the database, and the launch of the project website (https://eufnacc.dsctm.cnr.it/). In parallel, the physical infrastructure has been established by setting up dedicated facilities for powder storage and sample preparation, together with an initial internal survey that has identified approximately 200 potential entries within ISOF laboratories. Future developments include the launch of a large-scale collection campaign to expand the physical library, acquisition of advanced instrumentation for sample preparation and characterization, and the implementation of standardized protocols for collection management. Additional efforts will focus on strengthening internal collaboration within ISOF and progressively extending the network to other DSCTM institutes.
