Acenaphthylene as a building block for π-electron functional materials

Abstract

This is the first review paper focusing on acenaphthylene (AN), an important building block of many organic semiconductors. We summarize the most important literature on π-conjugated AN derivatives, both small molecules and polymers, highlighting the synthetic approach and notable chemical modifications used in design of organic electronic materials. We also discuss the electronic structure and aromaticity of AN and notable device applications of AN derivatives. We expect this review to guide the further design of AN-based organic semiconductors for various optoelectronic devices.