Stille Polycondensation: A Multifaceted Approach towards the Synthesis of Polymers with Semiconducting Properties

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of numerous organic polymer-based semiconductors for applications in areas ranging from organic electronics to bioimaging and biosensing. In the synthesis of these polymer materials, Stille polycondensation has emerged as a highly versatile and effective tool owing to its mild reaction conditions, functional group tolerance, and versatility. This perspective provides a thorough review of the most representative studies post 2011 that highlight the utility of this polymerization method, while also addressing various concerns that researchers may encounter, such as mechanistic insights into Stille polycondensation, potential toxicity, and new polymer structure and functionalities. Furthermore, an alternative approach to the Stille reaction that involves C–H activation is also discussed, providing researchers with additional possibilities for the synthesis of these critical compounds.