Molecular design and synthetic approaches to electron-transporting organic transistor semiconductors

This review covers the various classes of molecular structures that may be used as the basis for the synthesis of organic semiconductors that favor electron transport in field-effect transistors and related electronic and optoelectronic devices. The types of compounds include tetracarboxylic diimides, heterocyclic oligomers, fullerenes, and metal complexes. Approaches to polymers are also mentioned. Although brief discussions of transistor operation and applications are included, the emphasis is on the rationale for choosing these structures, and synthetic routes to them. Performance of exemplary compounds in transistors is also discussed.