Silole based acetylenes as advanced π-conjugated systems for optoelectronic applications

Nonlinear optical (NLO) and electro-optical (EO) properties of π-conjugated systems have been the subject of intense interest during the past several decades. In this mini-review we focus on semiconducting materials based on alkyne π-conjugation, with particular emphasis on those examples from our laboratory of chromophores containing a silole core. Several closely related examples from the literature are also discussed.