[BARAJAN]

hi
I have submitted a manuscript about 2 months ago, and now they have informed that my manuscript is now in the hands of an Editorial Office. what does it mean? it means  that the manuscript has not passed to reviewers yet? 
or something else?

[clarkstill]

Certainly ACS journals consider it to be in the hands of the editorial office during the entire review period, i.e. there is no distinct indication that the manuscript is currently "under review".  I'd give it another week or two then maybe write them a letter, 6-8 weeks is fairly standard, but often things are slower in the summer months since reviewers are often on vacation.

Hope it gets in!

[408]

The good news is that if they have had it for that long it was actually sent to reviewers.  With some like JACS, the worst response is to hear back in 48 h that it did not even go to reviewers.  Like Clarkstill said, it just means it is in the review process.

I have had a couple papers that, despite only having minor revisions, took over a year between submission and acceptance.