Perspectives in Chemistry—Steps towards Complex Matter

Chemistry is progressively unraveling the processes that underlie the evolution of matter towards states of higher complexity and the generation of novel features along the way by self-organization under the pressure of information. Chemistry has evolved from molecular to supramolecular to become adaptive chemistry by way of constitutional dynamics, which allow for adaptation, through component selection in an equilibrating set. Dynamic systems can be represented by weighted dynamic networks that define the agonistic and antagonistic relationships between the different constituents linked through component exchange. Such networks can be switched through amplification/up-regulation of the best adapted/fittest constituent(s) in a dynamic set. Accessing higher level functions such as training, learning, and decision making represent future lines of development for adaptive chemical systems.