Metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) are versatile conjugated macrocycles that have attracted a great deal of interest as active components in modern organic electronic devices. In particular, the charge transport properties of MPcs, their chemical stability, and their synthetic versatility make them ideal candidate materials for use in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). This article reviews recent progress in both the material design and device engineering of MPc-based OTFTs, including the introduction of solubilizing groups on the MPcs and the surface modification of substrates to induce favorable MPc self-assembly. Finally, a discussion on emerging niche applications based on MPc OTFTs will be explored, in addition to a perspective and outlook on these promising materials in OTFTs. The scope of this review is focused primarily on the advances made in the field of MPc-based OTFTs since 2008.

Metal phthalocyanines (MPcs) are an abundant class of conjugated small molecules comprising and their integration into thin films is critial for the proper function of next generation applications.

Layer-by-layer (LbL) processing, otherwise known as sequential deposition, is emerging as the most promising strategy for fabrication of active layers in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices on both laboratory and industrial scales.