Recent advances in the O-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The strategic heteroatom doping of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has emerged as a powerful paradigm for engineering advanced organic materials with tailored optoelectronic functionalities. Compared to those incorporated with other heteroatoms, the oxygen (O)-doped PAH systems have received comparatively less attention. This review highlights the recent advances in the synthesis, optoelectronic properties, and organic electronic applications of representative O-doped PAHs, mainly focusing on pyranopyranyl-bridged analogues of anthanthrene, O-embedded quinoidal acenes, and furanyl-bridged fused benzofuranyl derivatives. By summarizing their optoelectronic properties and structure–property relationships, we hope this review might provide valuable insights into the further design of high-performance functional O-doped conjugated materials for organic electronics.