Graphical Abstract: Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 13/2010
European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry · 2010
Abstract The cover picture shows a Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis) in a coconut with a locust on top. Gecko toes hold on to slithery and vertical surfaces due to van der Waals forces, which are also relevant for the lipophilic altebate anion (left space‐filling model). Its sterically demanding substituents shield the nucleophilic center, making diethyl ether a better hydrogen bond acceptor in comparison (middle X‐ray structure). The high symmetry and the positive (blue) partial charges on the molecular surface are reflected in the right fractal‐like model. Details are discussed in the Short Communication by B. F. Straub et al. on p. 1907 ff. Photograph by Michael Wrede, artwork by Bernd F. Straub.