Criteria for publication in Chemical Physics are novelty, quality and general interest in experimental and theoretical chemical physics and physical chemistry. Articles are welcome that deal with problems of electronic and structural dynamics, reaction mechanisms, fundamental aspects of catalysis, solar energy conversion and chemical reactions in general, involving atoms, molecules, proteins, clusters, surfaces, interfaces and bulk matter. Reports on new methodologies and comprehensive assessments of existing ones, as well as applications to new types of problems are especially welcome. Experimental papers are expected to be brought into relation with theory, and theoretical papers should be connected to present or future experiments. Manuscripts that apply standard methods to specific physical-chemical problems and/or to specific systems are appropriate if they report novel results for an important problem of high interest and/or if they provide significant new insights.

Manuscripts describing routine use or minor extensions or modifications of established and/or published experimental and theoretical methodologies are not appropriate for the journal. In addition, manuscripts describing analytical procedures that use established spectroscopic techniques, such as for sample characterization, will not be accepted for publication, even if they appear new or improved with respect to procedures previously used.

In addition to regular research papers, Chemical Physics publishes invited perspectives articles (called ChemPhys Perspectives) and Special Thematic Issues. Each Chemical Physics Special Issue provides a snapshot of the leading edge in current research of a particular field in chemical physics, and contains invited articles by specialists in that field. The objective is to create a collection of articles representative of the newest findings in a field and equivalent to that covered at a topical conference.