Macromolecular and Supramolecular Architectures for Molecular Electronics

The benzene ring is introduced as a modular building block into carbon‐rich 1D‐, 2D‐ and 3D‐polymers. Remarkable synthetic products are functionalized poly(para‐phenyleneethynylene)s as rigid rods, giant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as molecular models for graphite and polyphenylene dendrimers as shape‐persistent nanoparticles. Supramolecular ordering of these unprecedented molecular structures is a key prerequisite when elucidating their role as media for charge carrier transport in molecular electronics. Current‐potential curves recorded for single disc‐type molecules and the drastic increase of charge mobility as a result of supramolecular order in π‐stacked columnar arrays are outstanding physical results.