Describing exciting new developments in the field of organic
molecular materials which have transformed the use of materials in
the modern world in the last 20 years or so, the focal point of
'Functional Organic and Polymeric Molecular Materials' is the
concept of 'molecular functionality - macroscopic reality'. That
is, the close relationships between the properties of isolated,
discrete molecules and those of assembled arrays of molecules in
thin films or crystals. Organic chemistry provides materials
researchers with the wonderful opportunity to design bulk materials
whose properties at the macroscopic level reflect closely the
modelled or actual behaviour of individual molecules or small
arrays of molecules. The iterative "design-test-design" approach to
has led in recent years to major advances in such fields as liquid
crystals, electroluminesent displays, sensors and organic
conductors, to name but a few. Indeed, it is extremely difficult in
this new millennium to escape the myriad applications of organic
and polymeric materials; engineering plastics are everywhere,
electronic displays grace almost every consumer electronic device,
organic-based sensor are widespread and our world is marvellously
colourful, thanks mostly to organic dyes, paints and inks.



This book is aimed at molecular materials researchers who wish to
broaden their knowledge of the discipline and those about to enter
the field. Indeed, it is hoped that the latter group of scientists
sense some of the excitement and fascination concerned with organic
materials which is felt by the authors.