Analytical Chemistry 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Analytical Chemistry (ACS) submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means, how long each stage typically takes, and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Analytical Chemistry? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Analytical Chemistry, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Analytical Chemistry review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: If your Analytical Chemistry manuscript shows "Under Review," elapsed time is the reliable signal. Analytical Chemistry has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 7.4, accepts about 25 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 5 to 8 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Analytical Chemistry uses ACS Paragon Plus at acsparagonplus.acs.org. Editorial questions go to eic@analchem.acs.org, referencing your manuscript ID.
Analytical Chemistry desk-rejects roughly 40 to 50 percent of submissions in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
You can't speed up Analytical Chemistry's review. A Analytical Chemistry submission readiness check flags method-validation gaps, figure-of-merit completeness, and competitive benchmarking issues that drive most desk rejections, in about 5 minutes.
Analytical Chemistry's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 56 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 40 to 50 percent rejected)
Analytical Chemistry editors evaluate method novelty, figure-of-merit completeness, and analytical-chemistry contribution depth. A desk rejection usually means the paper is application without method advance, or method advance without rigorous figures of merit.
Day 0: ACS Paragon Plus upload
The portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper, evaluates method novelty and validation depth, and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Analytical Chemistry typically invites two to three reviewers with method-development and analytical-chemistry expertise.
Days 21 to 56: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence; the 5-to-8-week median first-decision time reflects this.
Days 56 to 84: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 84 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or immediate scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
- Status changes to "Required Reviews Complete": Decision within 1 to 2 weeks.
Readiness check
While you wait on Analytical Chemistry, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact the editorial office during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on method-validation completeness and figures of merit.
How Analytical Chemistry compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | Analytical Chemistry | JACS | Analytica Chimica Acta | Analyst (RSC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 40 to 50 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 30 to 40 percent | 30 to 40 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 5 to 10 days | 14 to 21 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 5 to 8 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Top analytical-chemistry method novelty | Top broad chemistry | Applied analytical chemistry | RSC analytical methods |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your Analytical Chemistry paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Analytical Chemistry submission readiness check. It takes about 1-2 minutes.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Analytical Chemistry editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Analytical Chemistry manuscript fit check flags method-validation gaps and missing figures of merit before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Analytical Chemistry manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Analytical Chemistry author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus portal at acsparagonplus.acs.org, and editorial contact at eic@analchem.acs.org.
The Analytical Chemistry reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What Analytical Chemistry asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Method novelty | Is the analytical method genuinely new or a significant improvement? | Differentiate clearly from existing methods in the introduction |
Figures of merit | Are LOD, LOQ, linear range, precision, accuracy reported? | Include a full figures-of-merit table |
Competitive benchmarking | Is the method compared to current state-of-the-art? | Include a benchmarking table with 2 to 3 literature methods |
Real-sample validation | Does the method work on relevant real samples? | Validate on actual application samples, not just standards |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce this method? | Provide detailed protocols and reagent details |
In our pre-submission review work with Analytical Chemistry manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Application paper without method novelty. Analytical Chemistry publishes methods, not applications. The fix is to differentiate the method advance from existing methods explicitly.
Figures of merit incomplete. LOD, LOQ, linear range, precision, accuracy, and real-sample validation should all be present. The fix is to include a complete figures-of-merit table.
Competitive benchmarking weak. Reviewers expect quantitative comparison to 2 to 3 current methods. The fix is to add a benchmarking table.
Methodology note
This page was created from Analytical Chemistry's public author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared ACS Paragon Plus admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers. Analytical Chemistry treats 'Under Review' as the active editorial period from desk screen through peer review.
Analytical Chemistry reports a median first-decision time of 5 to 8 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks; full peer-review decisions land 6 to 12 weeks after submission.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact eic@analchem.acs.org, referencing the manuscript ID.
Your paper passed the desk screen and reviewers are being invited. Analytical Chemistry typically invites two to three reviewers with method-development and characterization expertise.
Yes. The 5 to 8 week median means roughly half of papers take longer. Method-validation-heavy papers extend the timeline.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Past 14 weeks suggests a reviewer dropped out. Silence in the first 5 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Analytical Chemistry, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
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Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.