Electrostatic landscapes in crystal engineering: a new perspective on synthons

The design of crystalline solids relies on understanding and controlling intermolecular and intramolecular interactions. Through theoretical charge density analysis and database mining, Shukla et al. [(2025). IUCrJ, 12, 334-357] have found a new way of viewing supramolecular assembly through the lens of electrostatic complementarity. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.