Due to their special electronics and optical properties, organic conjugated small molecules with D-π-A structure have become
the research hot topic, in the recent years. Most of their applications are focused on Organic Nonlinear Optical (NLO)
materials, Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) materials, and Organic Photovoltaic (OPV) materials. These research results
have an important impact on the future human lifestyles. So, the special issue of “Recent advances in the synthesis and application
of conjugated small molecules with D-π-A structure” is published in the journal of “Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry”.
The fast development of novel materials based on organic conjugated small molecules mainly includes the following aspects:
1. The design and preparation of novel compounds with strong electron withdrawing abilities (electronic acceptors). In most
of the electronic acceptors, compounds with multi-cyano heterocyclics was a typical representative including the chemical
stability, thermal stability, optics-electronic property and synthesized methods. And all of these advantages were reviewed
in the review article of “Synthesis and Modifications of Electron-withdrawing Groups Based on Multi-cyano Heterocyclics”.
2. The design and preparation of novel compounds with strong electronic transmission abilities (π electronic bridges). In the
review, “Electronic characters and synthesis method of novel conjugated system based on benzodithiophene groups”, a
novel electronic bridge based on benzodithiophene groups was introduced. Moreover, many novel organic photovoltaic devices
with high electro-optical conversion efficiency, organic electro-optics modulators were prepared based on the novel
materials prepared by this electronic bridge.
3. The design and preparation of novel compounds with strong electron donating abilities (electronic donors). In the review,
“The advantages of auxiliary donor and its application in novel organic second nonlinear optical chromophores” we find an
interesting discussion on the change of electron donating abilities with the introduction of auxiliary donor groups. Their potential
electron donating ability pointed out a new research direction for us. Many of novel NLO chromophores designed
by this theory showed us large electro-optic coefficients of about 200 pm/V.
4. The application of these organic conjugated small molecules in organic solar cells. With the emergence of global energy
and environmental problems, the application of solar energy has become the global hotspot. Due to the cost of preparation
and material selectivity, novel organic solar cells based on organic conjugated small molecules attracted the attention of the
world. The review of “Recent development of small-molecule donor materials for application in organic solar cells” introduced
the advantages and developing process of such kind of organic solar cells.
5. The micro and nano processing technology of organic conjugated small molecules. Although organic conjugated small
molecules have good electrical and optical properties, these properties cannot be used without the device processing process.
So, the review of “Recent advance in organic conjugated molecule based 1-D micro-/nanostructures for waveguide
applications” was introduced in this special issue. In this review, some special and interesting micro and nano processing
technologies of organic conjugated small molecules were introduced in detail. Else, the special structure of for waveguide
was also discussed.
6. The difference between organic conjugated small molecules and functional polymer materials. In the review of “Optoelectronic
properties and structural modification of conjugated polymers based on benzodithiophene groups”, the optoelectronic
properties and synthesis of conjugated polymers were introduced. Morover, the difference between organic conjugated
small molecules and functional polymer materials were discussed in detail.
I, the Guest-Editor, would like to express my gratitude to many authors who contributed to this special issue, reporting investigations
in various aspects of " The synthesis and application of conjugated small molecules with D-π-A structure ".
