http://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/special_issues/single-molecular-wire/ Dear Colleagues, Conjugated molecules, such as π-conjugated polymers, s-conjugated polymers, through-space conjugated polymers, their oligomers, etc…, are often described as “molecular wire”, in which charges and energy are transported. In the field of molecular electronics, the molecular wire would be expected for essential parts to connect single molecular devices such as transistor and rectifier, leading to the ultimate bottom-up nanotechnology. This special issue is focused on synthesis and properties of conjugated polymers and oligomers; especially, discussions of fundamental electronic and optical characteristics of the single molecule are of importance. Dr. Yasuhiro Morisaki Guest Editor {snippet name="submission_info"} http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/3/1/545/ Controlling the size of the oligomer and introducing functional groups at the ends of the oligomer that allow it to react with separate electrodes are critical issues when preparing materials for molecular wires. We demonstrate a general synthetic approach to oligophenylenevinylene (OPV) derivative molecules with a molecular length up to 9–10 nm which allow for the introduction of aromatic thioacetate functionality in fully conjugated oligomer systems. Oligomers containing 3–15 phenyl units were synthesized by step wise Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reactions of a bifunctional OPV-monomer, which demonstrated good control of the size of the OPVs. Workup after each reaction step ensures a high purity of the final products. End group functionalization was introduced as a last step. http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/3/1/545/ Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 CET Polymers 2011-02-28 3 1 Article 545 557 2073-4360 The Challenge of Synthesizing Oligomers for Molecular Wires 2011-02-28 doi: 10.3390/polym3010545 Roar Søndergaard Frederik C. Krebs