  The concept of topological superconductivity has attracted immense interest
in the physics community recently for several reasons: First, topological
superconductors represent new phases of matter, topologically distinct from any
other known phase of matter. Second, their discovery would present the first
realization of Majorana zero modes. Third, intrinsic topological
superconductors promise to become an important ingredient for next-generation
quantum technologies. There are a handful of candidates to date considered as
potential intrinsic topological superconductors. All of these display signs of
unconventional, potentially topological superconductivity. However, the results
from different experimental methods are inconclusive. One of the major
challenges in the field of topological superconductivity has been the scarcity
of potential materials, in contrast to the many exciting, theoretical
predictions of properties that could be unraveled by such a discovery.
Currently, it should be far to say that a material that convincingly displays
intrinsic topological superconductivity, and Majorana zero modes, has so far
not been discovered. This perspective aims at summarizing the results of the
most actively discussed potential topological superconductors for chemists.
But, I will also compile the essential physical and chemical design principles
of these materials from a chemists' perspective in order to motivate synthetic
chemists to join the quest for the discovery of the first intrinsic topological
superconductor.
