From truxenes to heterotruxenes: playing with heteroatoms and the symmetry of molecules

Abstract

The truxene molecule is more versatile and widespread than ever imagined. At the end of the last century, this star-shaped structure was recognized mostly in liquid crystals. However, the development of optoelectronics resulted in a revolution in truxenes. Stable, fast, easily processed and cheap optoelectronic devices are desirable in many areas of industry and science. Consequently, the contribution of truxenes to these fields is manifold, ranging from D–A emitters, semiconductors, and complexes to sensors. They attract attention because of their relatively low mass and expanded π-electron system. Symmetric molecules give rise to dendrimers, bowl-shape molecules and fullerenes. Further advantages are shown by the recently discovered non-symmetric truxenes obtained via one- or two-heteroatom displacement. Thus, the chemistry of new heteroaromatic compounds has been expanded.