Extended Data Fig. 1: Schematic illustration of a synthetic process and its influential factors.

Synthetic chemistry is a black box that connects precursors and products, governed by three critical parameters: thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanics. Thermodynamics dictates the direction and spontaneity of chemical reactions, with enthalpy and entropy as the key parameters, directly or indirectly influenced by various synthetic conditions. For instance, enthalpy is primarily affected by the atmosphere, pressure, and phase state, while entropy is largely influenced by phase transitions, temperature, and heating/cooling rates. Kinetics controls the rate of reactions and can influence the reaction pathways, potentially leading to the formation of non-equilibrium metastable products, particularly when competing pathways with similar free energy values exist. Though mechanics does not directly determine the reaction direction or rate, it reflects the microstructures and defects of the product, which directly influence material properties such as mechanical strength, conductivity, and thermal stability. Understanding and controlling these three parameters is essential to the rational design and synthesis of advanced inorganic materials, enabling the optimization of microstrain, grain boundaries, and other mechanical properties that are critical for various applications.