Multicomponent syntheses of functional chromophores

Multicomponent reactions are a valuable tool for the synthesis of functional pi-electron systems. Two different approaches can be taken into account for accessing the target structures. In the more conventional scaffold approach an already existing chromophore is coupled with other components to give a complex functional pi-system. Here, electronically monotonous components can also be introduced, which may exert synergistic electronic effects within the novel compound. The more demanding chromophore concept generates a complete pi-electron system and a scaffold concurrently. The latter approach is particularly stimulating for methodologists since pi-systems might be accessible from simple starting materials. This review encompasses the advances in the preparation of functional pi-electron systems via multicomponent processes during the past few years, based both on the scaffold and chromophore concepts. Besides the synthetic strategies the most important properties, i.e. redox potentials, absorption and emission maxima or fluorescence quantum yields, of the synthesized molecules are highlighted.