The timescales underlying fundamental chemical processes are determined by nuclear and electron dynamics involving atto-, femto- and picosecond events. Probing these events through time-resolved measurements, often supported by theoretical calculations, provides important information for identifying transient intermediates, determining possible relaxation pathways, and elucidating reaction mechanisms. As such, research on ultrafast molecular phenomena has a vast scope – from photo-induced excitation and relaxation dynamics in gases and in the condensed phase, to energy transfer, radical formation and solvent reorganization in solution and at interfaces.

This cross-journal collection between Nature Communications, Communications Chemistry and Scientific Reports aims to collate and highlight the latest advances in ultrafast chemistry, including, but not limited to, the investigation of proton and charge transfer reactions, recombination reactions, ultrafast isomerization, photo-initiated chemical processes, and relaxation dynamics in the gas-, liquid- and solid-phase and at interfaces. For work combining experimental and theoretical approaches, we are particularly keen to welcome submissions implementing both approaches on equal footing.

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by In-House Editors who are experts in their fields and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest. 

The team of Editors working on this Collection is:

Associate Editor, Dr Karen Mudryk, Communications Chemistry
Associate Editor, Dr Patrick Zobel, Nature Communications

Commissioning Editor, Dr Zhao Yu, Springer Nature
Managing Editor, Dr Ying Wang, Springer Nature