Renewing with a long tradition, this thematic issue of C. R. Chimie highlights some cutting-edge chemistry discussed during the 20th edition of the GECOM–CONCOORD conference held in Métabief, France, on 3–8 June 2012. This series of annual meetings was launched in 1993 as the result of the merger of two French discussion groups, entitled Groupe d’études en chimie organométallique (GECOM) and Concertation en chimie de coordination (CONCOORD). Awaited since then on each spring by the French community of molecular chemists in particular, this event, devoted to various aspects of organometallic and coordination chemistry, continues to attract an increasing number of speakers and participants from all over the world.

Co-organized by scientists from the neighbouring universities of Burgundy (E. Bodio, J.-C. Chambron, C. Devillers, C. Goze, C. Lejault, R. Malacea, M. Meyer, M. Picquet, L. Plasseraud; ICMUB–Dijon) and Franche-Comté (F. Guyon, J. Husson, I. Jourdain, A. Khatyr, M. Knorr, S. Roux; UTINAM–Besançon), the 2012 edition moved to the green slopes of the French Jura, a well-known skiing resort and cheese-making area. While the very close proximity of the Swiss border naturally attracted several Helvetian colleagues, 32 delegates representing 13 other countries (Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Romania, UK, Spain, Algeria, Egypt, Canada, India, and Malaysia) took part among the 120 registered attendees (Fig. 1).

Faithful with the GECOM–CONCOORD spirit that seeks to bring together for a week young (PhDs and post-docs) and more experienced researchers in the convivial atmosphere of an out-of-town convention centre (half-day cultural event – dedicated to the visit of a Comté cheese ripening cellar – and banquet followed by a dancing party belong to the tradition), the bucolic surroundings of Métabief provided a most favorable environment for promoting high-level scientific presentations and informal exchanges. The discussion forum offered the participants the opportunity to disclosure their most recent advances and frontier research. This included 15 plenary lectures, 40 oral communications, and 18 flash presentations, while two poster sessions were scheduled over the week.

The strength and vitality of contemporary inorganic chemistry was reflected by the diversity of topics discussed, many of them being at the interface with other disciplines, such as biology, health, material sciences… Among others, they encompassed bio-inorganic coordination chemistry with an emphasis on enzyme mimics and medicinal applications in therapy and molecular imaging, fundamental and applied organometallic chemistry related to both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with highlights on carbenes, phosphorus-based ligands and modern coupling reactions, and supramolecular architectures, regularly structured metal-organic assemblies, as well as functional organometallic materials possessing interesting electrochemical, optical or magnetic properties. This thematic issue is intended to provide a flavour of the various subjects tackled during the conference, the articles being ordered according to the programme. All the submitted manuscripts have been handled in the usual way with international and independent peer reviewing. The organizing committee thanks all the contributors to the meeting, the authors, reviewers, and the editorial office of C. R. Chimie. Finally, they wish to their colleagues of the University of Montpellier all the success for the 21st edition of GECOM–CONCOORD that will take place on 26–31 May 2013 in Cap d’Agde.