We have been notified that this paper has also been published almost verbatim in another scientific journal [1]. Examination of the date of receipt given in the latter (11 November 1999) suggests that it was submitted to that journal after it was first received by Molecules (6 September 1999) and shortly before submission by the authors of a final corrected version to Molecules (15 December 1999). In light of this evident and obviously deliberate instance of dual-publication, which we consider a serious ethical breach [2], the Editorial Team and the Publisher have determined that the paper should be declared “Withdrawn”, effective immediately. We apologize to our readership for any inconvenience this may cause. Once again, we note the impact advantage of an Open Access paper [3]: while the Molecules 2000, 5, 746-755 paper has been cited three times, the duplicate J. Chin. Chem. Soc. (Taipei) 2000, 47, 937-941 has been only cited once (a self-citation).
Dr. Derek J. McPhee, Editor-in-Chief, Molecules
Dr. Shu-Kun Lin, Publisher, MDPI
Acknowledgments
The Editorial Staff wish to thank Professor Peter Steel, Chemistry Department, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, for bringing this to our attention.
References and Notes
- 1.Madkour H. M. F., Mahmoud M. R., Nassar M. H., Habashy M. M. Behaviour of some activated nitriles toward barbituric, thiobarbituric acids and 3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one. J. Chin. Chem. Soc. (Taipei) 2000;47:937–941. [Google Scholar]
- 2.While the seriousness of dual publication is disputed in some circles (see for example: Bird S.J. Self-Plagiarism and Dual and Redundant Publications: What is the Problem? Commentary on ‘Seven Ways to Plagiarize: Handling Real Allegations or research misconduct’ (M.C. Loui) Sci. Eng. Ethics. 2002;8:543–544). doi: 10.1007/s11948-002-0007-4. we consider this practice a direct violation of the condition under which papers are accepted for processing by Molecules, namely that they must not have been published nor be submitted for publication elsewhere.
- 3.For more examples, see: Lin S.-K., McPhee D. J. Citation of Two Retracted Papers Shows Both the Impact Advantage and an Unintended Consequence of Open Access. Molecules. 2007;12:2190–2192.