Journal of Molecular Liquids Web of Science Discontinued: Integrity, Impact, and Future Outlook
Executive Summary
The Journal of Molecular Liquids (JML), a longstanding pillar in physical chemistry published by Elsevier, was officially discontinued from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection in late 2024, with coverage ceasing after Volume 413.
This de-listing followed an “On Hold” status initiated by Clarivate in September 2024 due to significant concerns regarding research integrity and publishing ethics. As of 2026, Elsevier continues its internal investigations alongside the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Introduction
The exclusion of a high-impact journal from the Web of Science Core Collection is a seismic event in the academic community. For decades, the Journal of Molecular Liquids was a primary destination for research on the structure, interactions, and dynamic processes of simple and complex liquids.
However, the recent confirmation that the Journal of Molecular Liquids Web of Science discontinued status is permanent for all content following Volume 413 has left thousands of researchers in a state of professional limbo. This article examines the underlying “integrity crisis” that led to this decision, analyzing how a journal with a CiteScore of 10.5 could fall from grace and what this signifies for the future of scholarly bibliometrics.
Key Takeaway: Why Was It Delisted?
The Journal of Molecular Liquids was removed because it failed to meet Clarivate’s 24 quality criteria for inclusion in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Evidence of “paper mill” activity, fabricated figures, and compromised peer review led to the permanent discontinuation.
The Catalyst: Research Integrity and Publishing Ethics
The primary reason for the journal’s removal lies in the breach of publishing policies. In late 2024, Clarivate’s “On Hold” designation signaled that the journal no longer met the quality criteria required for inclusion.
The Role of “Paper Mills” and Fabricated Data
Evidence suggests that the journal became a target for “one-man paper mills”—organized entities that produce fraudulent manuscripts. Reports from whistleblowers, such as those featured on For Better Science, highlighted numerous papers with:
- Fabricated figures and synthetic data
- Cloned nanoparticle images reused across multiple studies
- Hand-drawn spectra that bypassed peer-review detection
Elsevier’s Internal Investigation
Elsevier’s Research Integrity & Publishing Ethics team has been conducting in-depth reviews in accordance with COPE principles. Key areas of investigation include:
- Compromised Peer Review: Identifying “guest editor” rings or fraudulent reviewer accounts that provided fake endorsements.
- Image Manipulation: Using AI-detection tools to flag duplicated or synthetic data in published volumes.
- Citation Stacking: Investigating whether the journal’s high metrics were artificially inflated through self-citation or citation cartels.
Impact on Researchers and Academic Careers
The de-indexing of JML is not merely a bureaucratic change; it has tangible consequences for authors who published in the journal.
| Impact Area | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Indexing Gaps | Content after Volume 413 (2024) not indexed in WoS; gaps will not be backfilled | High |
| Institutional Requirements | Universities in China, India, Egypt require WoS-indexed papers for tenure/PhD | High |
| Impact Factor Loss | No JIF calculation; diminished prestige in global rankings | High |
| Scopus Status | Still indexed with CiteScore 10.5 (as of Jan 2026) | Active |
⚠️ Important Notice for Authors
Even if the journal is reinstated in the future, Clarivate’s policy is typically not to backfill papers published during the “off-list” period. This means 2025-2026 publications may never appear in Web of Science records.
Methodology: How Clarivate Re-evaluates Journals
Clarivate utilizes a rigorous re-evaluation process to maintain the integrity of the Master Journal List. The decision to discontinue JML followed a structured four-step process:
AI Monitoring
Automated tools flagged unusual patterns in publication volume and citation velocity, triggering an internal review.
Editorial Review
In-house editors manually assessed the editorial board’s rigor, peer review quality, and manuscript handling procedures.
The “On Hold” Status
A temporary freeze prevented new content from being indexed while investigations were conducted.
Discontinuation
The final decision to permanently remove the journal when quality criteria regarding editorial integrity were not met.
Critical Discussion: The 2026 Publishing Landscape
The case of the Journal of Molecular Liquids is a cautionary tale for 2026. It highlights the growing tension between publication volume and publication quality in the era of “mega-journals.”
The Volume Problem: Data from Scopus
According to Scopus data, JML’s publication output grew significantly over recent years, peaking at 2,972 documents in 2021. The journal has consistently published over 2,000 articles annually since 2019:
| Year | Documents Published | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,660 | Baseline |
| 2019 | 2,021 | +21.7% |
| 2020 | 2,359 | +16.7% |
| 2021 | 2,972 | +26.0% (Peak) |
| 2022 | 2,840 | -4.4% |
| 2023 | 2,466 | -13.2% |
| 2024 | 2,777 | +12.6% |
| 2025 | 2,191 | -21.1% (YTD) |
This high throughput—averaging approximately 2,750 documents annually between 2021-2024—is often a red flag for “predatory-at-scale” behavior, where the peer-review system becomes a bottleneck that editors may bypass to meet publication quotas or revenue targets.
💡 Key Insight: The New Currency in Academia
The “Information Gain” from JML’s removal is the realization that high metrics (like a 10+ CiteScore) are no longer a guarantee of safety. Trustworthiness—the ‘T’ in E-E-A-T—is now the most fragile and valuable currency in academic publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Journal of Molecular Liquids still indexed in Scopus?
Yes, as of January 2026, the journal remains indexed in Scopus with a CiteScore of 10.5. However, researchers should monitor for “Scopus Discontinuation” notices, which often follow Web of Science de-listings within 12-18 months.
Can I still submit my paper to JML?
While Elsevier continues to accept submissions, authors should be aware that their work will not be indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection for the foreseeable future. This may significantly affect the “reach” and “impact” of the research, particularly for career advancement in institutions that prioritize WoS metrics.
Will JML ever be back in Web of Science?
Elsevier is actively working with Clarivate for a re-evaluation. However, even if the journal is reinstated, Clarivate’s policy is typically not to index papers published during the period the journal was “off-list.” This creates a permanent gap in the bibliographic record.
How does this affect my existing publications in JML?
Papers published before Volume 413 (2024) remain indexed in Web of Science and will continue to accrue citations in the WoS database. Only content published after the discontinuation date is affected by the de-indexing.
What should I do if I have a paper under review at JML?
Authors with papers currently under review should carefully consider whether to proceed or withdraw their submission. Weigh the benefits of the journal’s Scopus indexing and readership against the loss of Web of Science visibility and Impact Factor prestige.
Conclusion: Future Outlook
The “Journal of Molecular Liquids Web of Science discontinued” saga is a pivotal moment for Elsevier and the broader academic publishing ecosystem. To regain its status, the journal must implement drastic reforms, including:
- Restructuring its editorial board with enhanced oversight
- Adopting more stringent AI-driven image verification tools
- Implementing robust anti-paper-mill screening protocols
- Reducing publication volume to ensure quality control
For the academic community, this case serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize the integrity of the publication venue over the speed of publication. In an era where bibliometric gaming is increasingly sophisticated, due diligence on journal quality has never been more important.