This issue's outside front cover is provided by Andreas Hirsch and colleagues at Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. Using optical spectroscopy the team studied self-assembled multilayer films of charged molecular oligoelectrolytes (OEMs). Studying both the assembly and disassembly of the OEMs provided detailed information on the degradation behaviour of these films. 

In the Perspective, Michael Müller and Philippe Bisel, from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany, and Loay Al-Momani from TafilaTechnical University, Jordan discuss the humble tert-butyl group and its importance and main uses within both chemistry and biology.