of a crystal structure from a molecular structure is very difficult, and not easily derivable from functional groups. Identification of supramolecular synthons simplifies this otherwise intractable problem so that some progress may be made in the design of a particular crystal structure. His review on this subject in Angewandte Chemie in 1995[3] now has more than 2000 citations and is a major landmark in the area. The supramolecular synthon concept is now widely used by crystal engineers notably in the design of pharmaceutical co-crystals, which are important from scientific and commercial viewpoints. Crystal engineering is effectively like supramolecular synthesis in the solid state, and there is a direct analogy between the supramolecular synthon of Desiraju and the molecular synthon that was proposed for organic synthesis by E. J. Corey.Desiraju's second major contribution has been to recognise that weakly activated groups like the C-H group can act as donors of hydrogen bonds in molecular and biomolecular systems. These weak hydrogen bonds had been discussed sporadically since the 1930s, but it was only after the 1980s that the idea of a weakly activated group forming hydrogen bonds gained acceptance in the chemical community. Desiraju was among the few structural chemists (some others include Leslie Leiserowitz and Thomas Steiner) who argued in those early days that the C-H...O and other weak interactions have a hydrogen bond character.Desiraju has authored more than 325 publications, and in addition to the two books on crystal engineering and hydrogen bonding mentioned above, he has edited three multi-author books on these topics in structural chemistry. He has guided the Ph. D work of more than 30 students over the past 30 years.General writingDesiraju has authored several commentaries on science, the evolution of chemistry as a subject,[4] emergence and complexity, and research habits and practices in various cultures. More recently he has written articles about the state of science education and research in India,[3] where he has identified problems and suggested solutions in situations that are, in part, expected in a country that is rooted in the traditional but yet aspires for the contemporary.ISI RatingsEach of his two authored books has more than 1500 cites each. His 1995 review in Angewandte Chemie has been cited more than 2000 times. Five of his >300 publications have been cited 500 or more times, 12 over 200 and 27 over 100. He has an h-index of 55 and this makes him one of the most highly cited scientists in India.References and notes^ Desiraju, G. R.: "Crystal Engineering. The Design of Organic Solids", Elsevier, 1989.^ Desiraju, G. R. and Steiner, T.: "The Weak Hydrogen Bond in Structural Chemistry and Biology", Oxford University Press, 1999.^ Desiraju, G. R.: "Supramolecular Synthons in Crystal Engineering. A New Organic Synthesis", Angewandte Chemie Int. Ed. Engl., 1995, 34, 2311.^ Desiraju, G. R.: "Chemistry. The Middle Kingdom", Current Science, 2005, 88, 374.Research Keywordssupramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, hydrogen bond, intermolecular interactions, crystal structures, X-ray crystallographyExternal links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gautam Radhakrishna Desiraju Desiraju HomepageList of Publications Robert S. Mulliken Born June 7, 1896Newburyport, Massachusetts Died October 31, 1986 (aged