Abstract：

Supramolecular chemistry is intrinsically a dynamic chemistry in view of the lability of the interactions connecting the molecular components of a supramolecular entity and the resulting ability of supramolecular species to exchange their components. Similarly, molecular chemistry becomes a dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) on introduction into the molecular entity of covalent bonds that may form and break reversibly, so as to allow a continuous change in constitution by reorganization and exchange of building blocks. Taken together, these features define a Constitutional Dynamic Chemistry (CDC) covering both the molecular and supramolecular levels.
CDC takes advantage of dynamic diversity to allow variation and selection and operates on dynamic constitutional diversity in response to either internal or external factors to achieve adaptation. It applies in chemistry as well as in materials science.
The implementation of these concepts points to the emergence of adaptive and evolutive chemistry, towards systems of increasing complexity.