Bridging the Gap between Reality and Ideality of Graphdiyne: The Advances of Synthetic Methodology

Recently, various synthetic methods have been developed to synthesize graphdiyne (GDY) in the aspect of controlled layer and different morphologies. The ideal GDY should have a large crystal domain size with only one atomic layer and possess excellent mechanical, electronic, optical, and magnetic intrinsic properties. However, there is still a gap between the reality and ideality on the road to perfect GDY, which results from the synthetic challenges from the terminal alkynes coupling efficiencies, side reactions, free rotation of carbon-carbon single bond between the diacetylenic linkages, small domain size, defects, and the uncontrollability of thickness. In this review, we will summarize the advances of synthetic methodology in improving the quality and yield of GDY from the perspective of fundamental acetylenic coupling reactions. We aim to stimulate the interest of researchers working in controlled synthesis and broaden application fields of GDY.