Nanohoops, cyclic association of π-conjugated systems to form a hoop-shaped molecule, have been widely developed in the last 15 years. Beyond the synthetic challenge, the strong interest towards these molecules arise from their radially-oriented π-orbitals, which provide singular properties to these fascinating structures. Thanks to their particular cylindrical arrangement, this new generation of curved molecules have been already used in many applications such as host-guest complexation, biosensing, bioimaging, solid-state emission and catalysis. However, their potential in organic electronics has only started to be explored. From the first incorporation as an emitter in fluorescent Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), to the recent first incorporation as host in Phosphorescent OLED or as charge transporter in Organic Field-Effect Transistor (OFET) and in Organic Photovoltaics (OPV), this field has shown important breakthroughs in recent years. These finding have revealed that curved materials can play a key role in the future and can even be more efficient than their linear counterparts. This can have important repercussions for the future of electronics. Time is now come to overview the different nanohoops used to date in electronic devices in order to stimulate the future molecular designs of functional materials based on these macrocycles.
Keywords: Cycloparaphenylenes * Nanohoops * OLED * Charge transport * Organic electronics.
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