Key trends in sustainable approaches to the synthesis of semiconducting polymers

Abstract The research area of organic electronics has grown exponentially since the understanding that π-conjugated polymers can be successfully implemented in several electronic devices, including organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic field effect transistors (OFETs), sensors, integrated circuits, solar energy storage, organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), and RF-ID tags. The development of waste-minimized and clean synthetic approaches complying with the principles of green chemistry to access π-conjugated polymer semiconductors is essential for propelling the field of organic electronics. In fact, the most effective methodologies currently employed suffer from drawbacks such as cost issues, toxicity of the reagents, catalysts, and by-products to humans, animals, and plants, which may prevent seriously their large-scale production. This chapter highlights and critically discusses relevant examples in the development of so-called green strategies for the preparation of the poly(arylene) family, which is of prime importance for several electronic applications, including transistors and photovoltaics; the implication of such strategies in the performance level of selected devices also will be covered.