Journal of the American Chemical Society vs NATURE: Which Should You Submit To?

Nature's impact factor is 48.5 (2024 JCR), while JACS is 15.6 (2024 JCR). Nature is 3.1 times higher. Nature ranks 2nd out of all science journals globally; JACS ranks 17th among chemistry journals. Nature sits at the absolute apex of academic publishing. JACS is the top chemistry journal—an elite venue in its own right, but not at Nature's level of prestige.

For career impact: publishing in Nature is career-defining and carries the highest prestige. Publishing in JACS is a major achievement in chemistry and will distinguish your CV significantly. The prestige gap between them is real but not as large as the gap between JACS and lower-tier chemistry journals.

Nature accepts only papers that represent major conceptual advances or paradigm shifts across all sciences. The question is explicit: "Will this fundamentally reshape the field?" Approximately 94% of submissions are rejected, often without peer review. Nature editors are gatekeepers with extraordinarily high bars.

JACS has a high bar but is more focused on chemistry excellence. JACS looks for papers representing significant chemical discoveries—novel reactions, catalysts, materials, understanding of chemical mechanisms—that advance the field. The question is: "Does this represent a groundbreaking chemical advance?" A paper does not need to be a paradigm shift across all sciences; it needs to be groundbreaking within chemistry. Approximately 93-95% of submissions are rejected.

In practice: a discovery of a new catalytic reaction that enables previously impossible transformations would be excellent for JACS and might work at Nature if it has broad implications beyond chemistry. A new synthetic strategy that revolutionizes how chemists approach certain problems is JACS material and unlikely to interest Nature (unless it has biomedical applications that reshape medicine). A fundamental discovery about chemical bonding or reactivity that changes how all chemists think about molecular systems would be strong for both but would likely favor Nature.

Nature: ~6% acceptance rate. Extremely selective.

JACS: ~8% acceptance rate in current Manusights canonical data. It is still extremely selective, but slightly more accessible than Nature.

Both journals have low acceptance rates. Odds of success are low at both venues, but you have somewhat better odds at JACS if the work is excellent chemistry with specialist rather than broad scientific appeal.

Nature: 7 days median to first decision on the current Nature journal information page.

JACS: Desk decision within 2-3 weeks. Peer review typically 3-4 weeks if desk-reviewed. Total: 1.5-3 months on average. JACS is generally faster than Nature, particularly on initial triage.

If publication speed is a consideration, JACS has a slight advantage over Nature.

Nature: Articles are typically 6-8 pages (including figures and methods). Brief, focused presentation required.

JACS: Articles are typically 10-15 pages or longer. JACS allows for more methodological detail and extensive supplementary information.

If your work requires extensive explanation of synthesis, characterization, or mechanistic detail, JACS's longer format is more accommodating. Nature requires extreme conciseness.

Nature: Subscription model. No APC required.

JACS: Subscription model by default. Open access available for an APC of approximately $3,000.

Both journals offer competitive pricing. JACS's open-access option is more expensive than Nature's subscription model, but if you want open access, JACS provides it.

Nature editors are highly selective gatekeepers. Most rejections happen at the desk stage. If your paper passes editorial screening, peer review is rigorous. Reviewer feedback is typically brief and focused on confirming significance.

JACS editors are chemistry experts who are slightly more inclusive. More papers go to peer review at JACS than at Nature. Reviewer feedback tends to be detailed and constructive, even for papers that are ultimately rejected. You're more likely to receive actionable comments at JACS.

Paradigm-shifting discovery with implications across sciences: Try Nature first. If your chemistry work will reshape biology or medicine or physics, Nature is appropriate. JACS is your fallback if Nature rejects.

Groundbreaking chemical discovery with impact primarily in chemistry: JACS is the better target. Your work doesn't need to appeal to non-chemists; it needs to be excellent chemistry. You have similar odds as Nature but are judged by chemistry standards specifically.

Novel catalyst, reaction, or materials discovery: JACS is the logical home. These are classic JACS papers. Nature will likely desk-reject unless your discovery has implications beyond chemistry (e.g., enables a new drug class).

Mechanistic understanding or fundamental chemistry advance: JACS for work that's important to chemists. Nature if the insight reshapes understanding broadly.

Looking for slightly better publication odds: JACS fractionally edges out Nature. Your odds are marginally better at JACS if the work is excellent chemistry.

Common approach: If you believe your chemistry work is truly paradigm-shifting, submit to Nature. If Nature desk-rejects (likely), immediately submit to JACS. The chemistry community will recognize it regardless of the journal, and JACS publication will still be prestigious.

Alternatively, if you're confident the work is groundbreaking chemistry but uncertain about paradigm-shifting status, go directly to JACS. You'll get a fair evaluation and likely receive detailed feedback.

JACS and Nature are both elite journals serving different scopes. Nature is the absolute pinnacle of prestige, requiring paradigm-shifting discovery with broad impact. JACS is the top chemistry journal, requiring groundbreaking chemistry. Both will deeply strengthen your CV. Publishing in JACS is not "settling"—it's a top-tier achievement in chemistry. The choice depends on whether your work transcends chemistry (Nature) or is groundbreaking primarily for chemists (JACS).

In most cases, excellent chemistry belongs at JACS. Save Nature submissions for work with genuinely broad interdisciplinary impact.