The adsorption of dibromomethylene-functionalized molecular precursors on a hot Au(111) substrate forms antiaromatic units in polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons through thermally selected skeletal rearrangements.

See Pérez-Elvira et al.

The combination of N-heterocyclic carbene and organic photoredox catalysts enables the meta-selective acylation of electron-rich arenes. This method provides complementary selectivity to Friedel–Crafts acylation and gives complex arene products without relying on multiple steps.

See Goto et al.

Collision-induced dissociation mass spectrometry is used to form polymetallic rings from larger, heterometallic complexes. A workflow is proposed for the topological assignment of the polymetallic rings that can be applied to structures synthesized in solution as well as in the gas phase.

See Geue et al.

This Focus issue overviews the synthesis and computational study of various conjugated aromatic molecules and polymers as well as their electronic and chemical properties. The incorporation of these molecules and materials in devices or in catalysis is discussed.

The cover image depicts the synthesis of polyacene inside the channels of a metal−organic framework.

See Kitao et al.

Cylindrical unimolecular nanoreactors are used to synthesize a library of perovskite nanorods with tailored dimensions and compositions, and enhanced stabilities. The dimension-dependent physical properties of the nanorods are probed and a variety of applications are envisaged.

See Liang et al.

Ammonia synthesis via the Haber–Bosch reaction produces approximately 1% of the world’s CO2 emissions, leading to intensive research to find more sustainable routes. This Focus issue overviews recent progress and challenges in green ammonia synthesis, looking at catalyst synthesis, resource allocation and different synthetic routes to produce green ammonia.

The cover image depicts an Article that describes the synthesis of core–shell nanocrystals with tunable single-atom alloy layers as electrocatalysts for green ammonia production.

See Gao et al.

This Focus issue describes how techniques such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotics and automation can be combined to accelerate chemical and materials synthesis.

The cover image is from a Review Article describing the development of self-driving laboratories in chemical and materials sciences.

See Abolhasani and Kumacheva

Single-molecule nanotubes are made by stacking rim-differentiated macrocyclic building blocks by using dynamic covalent imine bonds. This approach enables the synthesis of a pair of 2-nm-long and 4.7-Å-wide enantiomeric covalent organic pillars, which bind strongly to linear alkyl guests of complementary length and electrostatic potential.

See Tian et al.

Incorporating transition-state knowledge into a machine learning model allows accurate enantioselectivity prediction for asymmetric pallada-electrocatalysed C–H activation reactions. This approach enables the mapping of a large synthetic space and provides insight into the selectivity of these reactions.

See Xu et al.

Functionalization of C(sp 3)–H bonds via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), which is typically photo- or electrochemically induced, is a key transformation in the synthesis of complex molecules. This Focus issue overviews technological, catalytic and method-based innovations that have enabled this field to develop.

The cover image is from a Perspective describing how HAT catalysis facilitates acceptorless dehydrogenative cross-coupling between two C–H bonds.

See Ohmatsu and Ooi

A versatile and efficient photoelectrochemical platform powered by sunlight enables the simultaneous conversion of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, and waste plastics into renewable fuels and commodity chemicals with high production rates and selectivity. This solar-driven circular economy is promising for a sustainable future.

See Bhattacharjee et al.

Contra-helical iron(II)-templated trefoil knots are synthesized by coaxially nesting a small multistranded helix within a larger reverse helix. This approach enables the near-quantitative one-step syntheses of four iron(II)-templated trefoil knots with spin-crossover properties that are tuneable by altering the intramolecular strain.

See Wu et al.