Review: Organic conducting materials show potential for applications in, for example, electrostatic shielding or in pressure sensing. In the past, research aimed at the optimization of the properties of these materials e.g. the charge-transfer (CT) complex tetrathiafulvalene/tetracyanoquinodiimine (TTF/TCNQ, see figure) have concentrated mainly on varying the structure of the donor (TTF). Here, in contrast, the recent progress made in the identification, synthesis, and characterization of new acceptors suitable for use in CT complexes, the N,N'-dicyanoquinonediimines (DCNQIs) is reviewed.