The field of supramolecular chemistry and molecular self-assembly has entered a new phase in which the use of chemical reactions to create out-of-equilibrium molecular assemblies is becoming more common. These dynamic assemblies have vastly different properties than their in-equilibrium counterparts, which include the ability to be controlled over space and time or the ability to self-replicate. Such behaviors would set significant steps toward the synthesis of artificial life. However, a limiting factor toward the revolution of the field is the lack of clear definitions and design rules for such systems. In this review, we explain the core principles that help to design energy-dissipating chemical reaction cycles that can drive molecular assemblies. We discuss strategies for coupling these reaction cycles to building blocks for the materials. We conclude with an outlook for the field of dissipative self-assembly and its potential role as a material or model for life.

超分子化学和分子自组装领域进入了一个新的阶段，在该阶段，使用化学反应产生不平衡的分子组装变得越来越普遍。这些动态装配体与不平衡的装配体具有极大不同的特性，包括在空间和时间上受到控制的能力或自我复制的能力。这种行为将为合成人工生命迈出重要的一步。但是，限制该领域发展的一个因素是缺乏针对此类系统的明确定义和设计规则。在这篇综述中，我们解释了有助于设计能驱动分子组装的耗能化学反应循环的核心原理。我们讨论了将这些反应周期耦合到材料的构造块的策略。