Cover Picture: Origin of the Hydrophobic Behaviour of Hydrophilic CeO₂ (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 35/2023)

The CeO₂ (100) surface , despite its strongly hydrophilic nature, exhibits hydrophobic behaviour when immersed in water. This effect is induced by the first water layer that is in immediate contact with the hydroxylated CeO₂ (100) surface. This ordered water layer creates a key-lock H-bond pattern with the underlying surface hydroxyl groups, hindering the interactions with liquid water. The hydrophobicity is manifested by a measurable water contact angle and a considerable diffusion enhancement of the confined liquid water as compared with bulk water, as reported by Lorenzo Agosta, Kersti Hermansson et al. in their Communication (e202303910). We acknowledge Virginia Carnevali for her help with the cover image.

Membrane Proteins

In their Research Article (e202302003), Daniel Huster et al. analyze the dynamics of the human growth hormone secretagogue receptor. The study reveals insights into the energy landscape of the molecule.

Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

In their Communication (e202307178), Andreas Gansäuer, Peter Vöhringer et al. report time-resolved fluorescence and ultrafast mid-infrared spectroscopies to study the primary events of entry into a sustainable photoredox-catalytic cycle utilizing a titanium(IV) photocatalyst.

Metal–Organic Frameworks

Conductive-on-insulating metal–organic framework (cMOF-on-iMOF) heterostructured nanocrystals are reported by Ken-ichi Otake, Susumu Kitagawa et al. in their Research Article (e202303903). The cMOF-on-iMOF nanocrystals show enhanced selective CO₂ sorption, readable softness, electrical gating, and shape memory effects.

Photocatalysis

A covalent metal–organic framework (CMOF) was prepared as a tandem reaction catalyst by Guo-Hong Ning, Dan Li et al. in their Research Article (e202306497). By combining Cu-CTUs as metal-catalytic sites and Bodipy linkers as photosensitizers, this CMOF can catalyze terminal alkenes and alkynes to produce primary alcohols.