Volume 17

The development of new materials is key to the ongoing quantum revolution. Among them, photogenerated triplet–radical systems are appealing because of their structural flexibility and their tailorable molecular designs. However, the covalent linker between the triplet–radical units can limit syntheses and hinder scale-up efforts. Now, Sabine Richert, Andreas Vargas Jentzsch and co-workers have developed a triple-hydrogen-bonded bridge to enable strong spin-to-spin communication and to form a photogenerated quartet state (as artistically depicted on the cover).

See Richert et al.

Supramolecular networks grow based on directional interactions between their building blocks. A team led by Maartje Bastings has now shown that the flexibility of the binding interfaces between DNA-based building blocks dominates the mechanism of self-assembly, rather than the binding strength as previously assumed. The cover shows an artistic representation of chromatic dots reflecting the crystal structure of a hexagonal network self-assembled from rigid DNA building blocks.

See Caroprese et al.

The co-crystallization of nanoclusters with functional organic molecules can provide access to superlattices with unique properties; however, this process remains synthetically challenging. Now, a team led by Jarad A. Mason has shown that silver nanoclusters and organic macrocycles can be assembled through a supramolecular approach into ionic co-crystals with tunable structures that exhibit large chiroptical effects. The cover shows the structure of enantiopure chiral co-crystals featuring atomically precise silver nanoclusters and organic macrocycles.

See Mason et al.

The reduction of benzene by molecular complexes remains a significant synthetic challenge, and it typically requires harsh reaction conditions involving group 1 metals. Now, a team led by Mathew Anker and Laurent Maron has shown that a highly polar organometallic samarium alkyl complex enables the four-electron reduction of benzene without the need for a group 1 metal. An artistic rendering of this reaction is pictured on the cover.

See Anker, Maron et al.