Roles ofFlexible Chains in Organic SemiconductingMaterials.

Inthe past couple of years, remarkable progress has been madein solution-processable organic semiconducting materials for optoelectronics.The development of novel π-conjugated backbones has always beenthe central issue in this field. In contrast, flexible side chainsare less developed and usually used only as solubilizing groups. Inthis Perspective, we highlight the effects of the flexible chainsin organic semiconductors, including the influences of length, odd–eveneffect, substitution position, terminal groups, branching position,and chirality of alkyl chains, as well as some significant featuresof oligo(ethylene glycol) and fluoroalkyl chains. Although the rolesof flexible chains in organic semiconducting materials are complexand differ when corresponding conjugated skeleton changes, in thisPerspective, we emphasize the synergy of conjugated backbones andflexible side chains, which might significantly facilitate the understandingof the roles of flexible chains in structure–property relationshipand promote the development of high-performance organic semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]