On July 9, 2026, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Professor Jean-Marie Lehn delivered a lecture entitled “Perspectives in Chemistry: Molecular – Supramolecular – Adaptive Chemistry” at the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University. Invited by Professors Xi Zhang and Huaping Xu, the lecture was the seventh session of the Department’s Centennial Academic Forum.
Professor Lehn reviewed the evolution of chemistry from molecular chemistry to supramolecular and adaptive chemistry. He first highlighted how molecular chemistry enables the construction of increasingly complex molecules through precise control of covalent bonds. He then introduced supramolecular chemistry, in which molecular components are organized through non-covalent interactions to achieve functions such as molecular recognition, catalysis, transport and self-assembly.
A central theme of the lecture was the role of molecular information. Professor Lehn explained that chemical information can be encoded in molecular structures and expressed at the supramolecular level through specific interaction patterns. This perspective allows chemistry to be viewed as a science of informed matter.
He further discussed constitutional dynamic chemistry, which involves reversible molecular and supramolecular systems capable of exchanging components and reorganizing their structures. Such dynamic diversity enables chemical systems to respond to internal or external stimuli, undergo selection, and display adaptive behavior.
The lecture provided a broad and forward-looking perspective on the development of modern chemistry. By connecting molecular construction, supramolecular organization and dynamic adaptation, Professor Lehn offered valuable insights into the design of increasingly complex, responsive and potentially evolutive chemical systems.
Following the lecture, Professor Xi Zhang presented Professor Lehn with the Centennial Celebration Academic Forum Invited Lectureship certificate.
