Carbon‐rich nanostructures: the conversion of acetylenes into materials

The inherent thermodynamic instability of the carbon–carbon triple bond offers a unique starting point for the formation of carbon‐rich nanomaterials, which are of increasing importance for use in materials science and technology. Whereas significant efforts have recently been devoted toward suppressing the well‐known reactivity of sp‐hybridized compounds in an effort to obtain the elusive carbon allotrope “carbyne,” this mini‐review will focus on the opposite idea; that is, we explore current research efforts that attempt to harness the reactivity of carbon–carbon triple bonds in a controlled, templated manner that ultimately converts acetylenic precursors into ordered, carbon‐based nanomaterials.