WELCOME
We are delighted to welcome you to the eighteenth edition of the International Conference on the Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry of Germanium, Tin and Lead (ICCOC-GTL18) in Oldenburg, Germany.
A Warm Welcome
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As part of a long-standing series that began in Marseille, France, in 1974, the field of germanium, tin, and lead chemistry has seen remarkable progress – from reactive species and structural insights to catalytic applications and material chemistry – driving innovation across modern science.
The symposium will bring together keynote and invited presentations and contributed talks in one cohesive session, encouraging insightful discussions and fostering collaborative opportunities.
We also welcome you to Oldenburg, a city in the heart of North-Western Germany, near East Frisia and the Wadden Sea. Our excursion offers the unique North German experience “Wattwandern” the walk on the ground of the North Sea or a visit to the Hanseatic city Bremen with its rich maritime tradition and a vibrant cultural life.
We look forward to engage with you in dynamic discussions on the latest research, emerging trends, and practical challenges in coordination and organometallic chemistry – spanning fundamental science to real-world applications.
We hope you feel at home here, exchange ideas freely, and enjoy your time in Oldenburg and Bremen.
Chairs of the GTL18
Thomas Müller & Jens Beckmann
The Logo
The Pilsum Lighthouse
The Pilsum Lighthouse is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Krummhörn region of East Frisia and a prominent symbol of northern Germany’s maritime heritage. Constructed in 1890 as part of a joint German–Dutch initiative to illuminate the Lower Ems, it served until 1915 as a leading light for a five-kilometer stretch of the shipping channel between Borkum and Emden. The tower formed part of a historic network of five lighthouses designed to ensure safe navigation in the region—an essential function in the Wadden Sea, a sensitive tidal ecosystem that continues to play a vital role in maritime safety and biodiversity.
Today, the Pilsum Lighthouse stands as a monument to cross-border cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands. Since 1998, it has been owned and maintained by the Krummhörn dyke association. Following extensive renovation in 1973, the tower received its now-iconic red–yellow–red paint scheme. Rising 12 meters high, with its wrought-iron shell and internal staircase, the lighthouse is not only of technical interest but also of considerable cultural significance. It has appeared in several films and, since 2003, also serves as a municipality’s wedding venue.
We chose the Pilsum Lighthouse as the logo for GTL18-2026 in Oldenburg as a symbol of orientation, safety, and cross-border collaboration. It represents the maritime traditions of northern Germany while also embodying modern values of connection and community. At the same time, it highlights the unique character of the Wadden Sea as a habitat, protected landscape, and cultural bridge between nations.
© Touristik GmbH Krummhörn-Greetsiel