About this Research Topic
Many macroscopically homogeneous aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of various low molecular weight substances used in everyday life and ordinary laboratory practice were found to be structured (inhomogeneous) at the nano and meso levels. The size of these long-lived (up to 1 year) heterogeneities, supramers in our terminology, varies from ca. 1 nm to 102–103 nm. This new type of “weak” (judging by the magnitude of the interaction energy, which does not exceed kBT), but the extremely effective and spontaneous structuring of liquids has not attracted the attention of researchers for a long time. Only recently has its importance been identified for an adequate description of reactions and other chemical processes.
Recent studies suggest that understanding chemical reactivity in solutions requires much more than knowledge of molecular structures of reactants; moreover, we must go far beyond the present knowledge of specific solvent and solvation effects related to starting compounds, intermediates and transition states that emerge along the reaction pathway. The real reacting species in solutions seem to be not just individual molecules but more complex supramolecular entities that, generally, comprise both solute and solvent molecules. It appears that only detailed knowledge of the structure of reaction solution at the nano- and mesoscale level could reveal novel effective means for modulation of chemical reactions and processes. More than that, we need to develop a new language that could adequately describe these poorly understood phenomena. The progress along this line of research would create a possibility to modulate a type of nano- and mesoscale structuring in solutions thus creating a unique tool to fine-tune a wide range of chemical reactions as well as highly specific extraction and separation processes. In a long run, this solution-structure-centered approach to chemical reactivity could revolutionize the whole area of chemistry by application of original concepts and innovative approaches to the traditional chemical problems.
We encourage submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
• Weak aggregation in solutions, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• Modeling of weak aggregation and solvation in solutions, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• New approaches for modulation of solution structure, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• Chemical reaction and process optimization based on understanding of solution structure at the nano- and mesoscale level.
• The use of all types noncovalent intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen and halogen bonding, for modulation of chemical reactivity and selectivity in solutions.
• Theoretical approaches aiming at elucidation of the enigmatic relationship between the solution structure and chemical reactivity of the solute.
Both highly specialized and interdisciplinary research efforts are welcome.
Recent studies suggest that understanding chemical reactivity in solutions requires much more than knowledge of molecular structures of reactants; moreover, we must go far beyond the present knowledge of specific solvent and solvation effects related to starting compounds, intermediates and transition states that emerge along the reaction pathway. The real reacting species in solutions seem to be not just individual molecules but more complex supramolecular entities that, generally, comprise both solute and solvent molecules. It appears that only detailed knowledge of the structure of reaction solution at the nano- and mesoscale level could reveal novel effective means for modulation of chemical reactions and processes. More than that, we need to develop a new language that could adequately describe these poorly understood phenomena. The progress along this line of research would create a possibility to modulate a type of nano- and mesoscale structuring in solutions thus creating a unique tool to fine-tune a wide range of chemical reactions as well as highly specific extraction and separation processes. In a long run, this solution-structure-centered approach to chemical reactivity could revolutionize the whole area of chemistry by application of original concepts and innovative approaches to the traditional chemical problems.
We encourage submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
• Weak aggregation in solutions, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• Modeling of weak aggregation and solvation in solutions, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• New approaches for modulation of solution structure, especially in relation to chemical processes.
• Chemical reaction and process optimization based on understanding of solution structure at the nano- and mesoscale level.
• The use of all types noncovalent intermolecular interactions, including hydrogen and halogen bonding, for modulation of chemical reactivity and selectivity in solutions.
• Theoretical approaches aiming at elucidation of the enigmatic relationship between the solution structure and chemical reactivity of the solute.
Both highly specialized and interdisciplinary research efforts are welcome.
Keywords: solutions, structuring, non-covalent interactions, organic chemistry, synthesis
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
