Verbenone-based push–pull chromophores with giant first hyperpolarizabilities: A new structure–property correlation study

Novel chromophores Ch1–8 based verbenone bridge with various strong donors and acceptors were designed for applications in nonlinear optics, and the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of those verbenone-type chromophores were systematically investigated using the bond length alteration (BLA) theory, two states model (TSM) and sum-over-states (SOS) model. The results show that several verbenone-based chromophores possess remarkably large molecular second-order hyperpolarizabilities, which is due to its electron distribution close to the cyanine limit, the appropriate strength of acceptor, rather large change in dipole moment and low excitation energy. Computed hyperpolarizability (β_tot) of Ch6 also approach an outstanding 2922 × 10⁻³⁰ esu in TFE. The hyperpolarizability density analyses and two states model (TSM) were carried out to make a further insight into the origination of molecular nonlinearity of this unique system, suggesting that tuning structure of acceptor and polarity of the medium have great influence on the second-order nonlinear optical properties. More importantly, chromophores Ch1–Ch8 exhibited distinct features in two-dimensional second order NLO responses, and the strong electro-optical Pockels effect and optical rectification responses. The excellent electronic sum frequency generations (SFG) and difference frequency generations (DFG) effect are observed in these verbenone-type chromophores. These chromophores have a possibility to be appealing second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, data storage materials and DSSCs materials from the standpoint of large β values, high LHE, and excellent two-dimensional second order NLO responses.     

Influence of acceptor tethering on the performance of nonlinear optical properties for pyrene-based materials with A-π-D-π-D architecture

In this study, we designed a series of pyrene-based donor-π-donor-π-acceptor compounds (HPTC1-HPTC7) by structural tailoring the reference compound (HPTC) using acceptor units. Nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), natural bonding orbital (NBO), transition density matric (TDM) analysis, and absorption spectra of reference and proposed derivatives were calculated at M06/6-31G(d,p) functional. All the designed compounds have smaller energy bandgaps than the HPTC compound. Moreover, the designed compounds exhibited larger global softness values than the reference. The absorption maxima of HPTC2, HPTC3, and HPTC7 are blue shifted with respect to HPTC. NBO analysis revealed that prolonged hyper conjugative associations and strong interactions between the donor (π) and acceptor (π*) moieties play a crucial part in their stabilization. The FMO and NBO findings supported the NLO responses of entitled compounds, and consequently, the linear and nonlinear properties of designed derivatives elevate compared to the reference molecule. Promisingly, the NLO response for HPTC7 comprises of highest values of <α>, β_total and < γ > as 1.92 × 10^?22 esu, 1.95 × 10^?27 esu, and 4.69 × 10⁷ (a.u). This NLO behavior shows push–pull NLO chromophores for HPTC7 predicting its role in pursuing NLO materials for optoelectronic applications.     

Enhanced third‐order nonlinear optical properties determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique: bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)cobalt(II)]

π‐Conjugated organic materials exhibit high and tunable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and fast response times. 4′‐Phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (PTP) is an important N‐heterocyclic ligand involving π‐conjugated systems, however, studies concerning the third‐order NLO properties of terpyridine transition metal complexes are limited. The title binuclear terpyridine Co^II complex, bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)‐κ³O,O′:O′′;κ³O′′:O,O′‐bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)cobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₂₁H₁₅N₃)₂], (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In the crystal structure, each Co^II cation is surrounded by three N atoms of a PTP ligand and three O atoms, two from a bidentate and one from a symmetry‐related monodentate 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate (ODA²⁻) ligand, completing a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Neighbouring [Co(PTP)]²⁺ units are bridged by ODA²⁻ ligands to form a ring‐like structure. The third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of (1) and PTP were determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique. The title compound shows a strong third‐order NLO saturable absorption (SA), while PTP exhibits a third‐order NLO reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The absorptive coefficient β of (1) is −37.3 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹, which is larger than that (8.96 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹) of PTP. The third‐order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ values are calculated as 6.01 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for (1) and 1.44 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for PTP.     

Synthesis of nonlinear optical polymers with large photoconductive sensitivity and transparency

Novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophore, 2-{3-[2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)vinyl]carbazol-9-yl}ethanol was synthesized and subsequently reacted with methacryloyl chloride to give a photoconducting NLO monomer ( M1 ). 2-Methylacrylic acid 2-[3-(diphenylhydrazonomethyl)carbazol-9-yl]ethyl ester ( M2 ) was also synthesized as a comonomer to enhance the carrier mobility of the NLO polymer. Photoconducting NLO polymers, P1 and P2 were obtained by the copolymerization of Ml with methyl methacrylate and M2 , respectively. These polymers were well soluble in organic solvents and showed glass transition at 177 °C and 196 °C, respectively. Polymer films of P1 and P2 were optically clear, and were transparent at wavelengths longer than 420 nm. The electro-optic coefficient (r₃₃) of poled P1 films was measured to be ∼5 pm/V at 632.8 nm. The photoconductive sensitivities of P1 and P2 were 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁴ S·cm⁻¹/mW·cm⁻² and 5.6 × 10⁻¹¹ S·cm⁻¹/mW·cm⁻².     

Quantum chemical study of redox-switchable second-order optical nonlinearity in Keggin-type organoimido derivative [PW11O39(ReNC6H5)] n− (n = 2–4)

To analyze the effect of redox state changes on the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of organoimido-functionalized Keggin-type heteropolyanions, the excitation properties and static second-order polarizabilities of fully oxidized state, the first and second reduced states were calculated by means of the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method combined with the sum-over-states (SOS) formalism. The incorporation of extra electrons causes significant enhancement in the second-order NLO activity. The reduced complexes show more than three times the efficiency of fully oxidized state. Moreover, the NLO activities for PW₁₁Re^VNPh system can also be modified by controlling the spin multiplicity. The high spin state (³ 3) has twice larger β _vec value than the low spin state (¹ 3). The characteristic of the charge-transfer transition corresponding to the dominant contributions to the β _vec values indicates that metal-centered redox processes influence the intramolecular donor or acceptor character, which accordingly leads to the variations in the computed β values. Owing to the reversible and manipulable redox processes, these kinds of the POM-based hybrid complexes could comprise a promising family of three-state redox-switchable molecular device combining chromic, magnetic, and NLO output.     

Large Nonlinear Optical Activity of a Near-infrared-absorbing Bithiophene-based Polymer with a Head-to-head Linkage

Although the production of near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing organic polymers with an excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) response is vital for various optoelectronic devices and photodynamic therapy, the molecular design and relevant photophysical investigation still remain challenging. In this work, large NLO activity is observed for an NIR-absorbing bithiophene-based polymer with a unique head-to-head linkage in the NIR region. The saturable absorption coefficient and modulation depth of the polymer are determined as ∼−3.5×10⁵ cm GW⁻¹ and ∼32.43%, respectively. Notably, the polymer exhibits an intrinsic nonlinear refraction index up to ∼−9.36 cm² GW⁻¹, which is six orders of magnitude larger than that of CS₂. The maximum molar-mass normalized two-photon absorption cross-section (σ₂/M) of this polymer can be up to ∼14 GM at 1200 nm. Femtosecond transient absorption measurements reveal significant spectral overlap between the 2PA and excited state absorption in the 1000–1400 nm wavelength range and an efficient triplet quantum yield of ∼36.7%. The results of this study imply that this NIR-absorbing polymer is promising for relevant applications.     

Pb18O8Cl15I5: A Polar Lead Mixed Oxyhalide with Unprecedented Architecture and Excellent Infrared Nonlinear Optical Properties

To develop high-performance nonlinear optical (NLO) materials for infrared (IR) applications, we have applied a rational element-composition design strategy and investigated the unexplored PbO–PbCl₂–PbI₂ system. By doing so, we discovered a new polar lead mixed oxyhalide, Pb₁₈O₈Cl₁₅I₅, the first synthetic metal oxyhalide combining both Cl⁻ and I⁻. Pb₁₈O₈Cl₁₅I₅ reveals an unprecedented structural feature with two different dimensional types of oxocentered Pb–O units, namely, [O₄Pb₈]⁸⁺ clusters and [OPb₂]²⁺ chains. Centimeter-sized single crystals of Pb₁₈O₈Cl₁₅I₅ have been successfully grown under ambient conditions. Remarkably, Pb₁₈O₈Cl₁₅I₅ satisfies all fundamental yet rigorous criteria for high-performance IR NLO materials, exhibiting the widest IR transparency (up to 16.0 μm) among oxide-based crystals, strong second-harmonic generation response (1.05×AgGaS₂), superior birefringence (0.086 at 636 nm), and a high laser-induced damage threshold (8.5×AgGaS₂).     

Second‐order nonlinear optical responses switching of N∧N∧N ruthenium carboxylate complexes with proton‐electron transfer

In this article, the nonlinear optical (NLO) switching action of Ru(III/II) carboxylate complexes was investigated by density functional theory (DFT). Among the studied complexed, Ru(III)PhCOO^? has the largest β value of 4972 × 10^?30 esu. Through the proton transfer (PT) process, the ? COOH group of Ru(III)PhCOOH and Ru(III)COOH complexes can form the ? COO^? group. Then, ? COO^? group acts as a strong donor and Ru(III) acts as an acceptor, which may be the most favorably used in the development of metal complexes NLO material. The redox NLO switching and PT NLO switching of Ru(III)PhCOO^?, Ru(III)PhCOOH, Ru(II)PhCOO^?, and Ru(II)PhCOOH complexes have been studied. The β value of Ru(III)PhCOO^? complex is ～36 and ～48 times larger than those of reduced Ru(II)PhCOO^? and Ru(II)PhCOOH, respectively. Note that the β value of deprotonated Ru(III)PhCOO^? is ～215 times larger than that of Ru(III)PhCOOH. The molecular electrostatic potential analysis also confirms that Ru(III)PhCOOH may have poor performance in the second‐order NLO response. In addition, the TDDFT calculations show that the ligand to metal charge transfer transition lead to the largest β value of the Ru(III)PhCOO^? complex. This investigation provides important insight into the remarkably large NLO properties and NLO switching of Ru(III/II) carboxylate complexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 000: 000–000, 2011     

Kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and of chlorine atoms (Cl) with methylethylether over the temperature range 274–345 K

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions between methylethylether and hydroxyl radicals (OH) and methylethylether and chlorine atoms (Cl) have been determined over the temperature range 274–345 K using a relative rate technique. In this range the rate constants vary little with temperature and average values of k_MEE+OH = (6.60_−2.62^+3.88) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k_MEE+Cl= (34.9 ± 6.7) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained. The atmospheric lifetimes of methylethylether have been estimated with respect to removal by OH radicals and Cl atoms to be ca. 2 days and ca. 30–40 days, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 231–236, 1997.     

Tailoring the donor moieties in TPA-based organic dyes for efficient photovoltaic,optical and nonlinear optical response properties

The current study reports tailoring the electronic donor structures of organic dyes to modify their optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) response properties. Five (5) tri-phenyl amine (TPA) based Donor-π-Acceptor (D-π-A) organic dyes with the codes ICAA1 , ICAA2 , ICAA3 , ICAA4 , and ICAA5 were designed and investigated for their optical and NLO properties using quantum chemical methods. Optical and NLO properties of these dyes were studied by CAM-B3LYP method and 6-311G* basis set. The focus has been on the impact of adding secondary donors and shifting their substitutions at ortho (o), meta (m) and para (p) positions. Among all designed compounds, ICAA4 showed the highest amplitude of average third-order NLO polarizability <γ>, which is calculated to be 1316 × 10⁻³⁶ esu. Time-dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) method was used to determine how a change in the position of the donor affected the excitation energy (E_g) and NLO response properties. The findings showed that changing the position of the secondary donor results in a red shift among absorption spectra as well as the increase in their NLO responses. Complete process of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) has been investigated in terms of different optical parameters such as frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs), transition density matrix (TDMs), density of states (DOS), electron density difference (EDD), and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Our calculations for study of ICT process indicate that p-position of methoxy group performs better among all other positions and even it has better NLO response properties than the compound with three collective methoxy groups. The calculated V_oc values of all designed molecules range from 1.09 to 1.30, all of them are positive while their ΔG_inject is found to be in the range of −0.87 to −1.79 eV indicating their decent potential for photovoltaic applications. The studied optical, NLO and photovoltaic parameters illustrated that ICAA1 to ICAA5 are appropriate molecules not only for NLO applications but also for efficient photovoltaic purposes.     

A Promising Fluorooxoborate Framework with Flexibile Capability for Diverse Cations to Enhance the Second Harmonic Generation

Fluorooxoborates as potential deep ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have exhibited diverse structures and NLO properties with metal cationic changes. Herein, the general mechanisms of metal cations on band gaps and optical properties in a series of typical fluorooxoborates have been clarified. It reveals that the framework of the emblematic 18-membered ring oxyfluorides has the flexibility of being able to contain different cations spanning from alkali to d¹⁰ metals by investigating the stability of the artificial CdB₅O₇F₃ structure. Besides, introducing d¹⁰ metal cations can enhance the second harmonic generation (3.1×KH₂PO₄ (KDP), d₃₆=0.39 pm V⁻¹) and also keep a DUV spectral transparency (E_g>6.2 eV). Thus, the d¹⁰-containing fluorooxoborate exhibits a great potential to be a new DUV optical material for nonlinear light-matter interactions.     

N-Doped Nonalternant Nanoribbons with Excellent Nonlinear Optical Performance

Two novel N-doped nonalternant nanoribbons ( NNNR-1 and NNNR-2 ) featuring multiple fused N-heterocycles and bulky solubilizing groups were prepared via bottom-up solution synthesis. NNNR-2 achieves a total molecular length of 33.8 Å, which represents the longest soluble N-doped nonalternant nanoribbon reported to date. The pentagon subunits and doping of N atoms in NNNR-1 and NNNR-2 have successfully regulated their electronic properties, achieving high electron affinity and good chemical stability enabled by the nonalternant conjugation and electronic effects. When applied a laser pulse of 532 nm, the 13-rings nanoribbon NNNR-2 shows outstanding nonlinear optical (NLO) responses, with the nonlinear extinction coefficient of 374 cm GW⁻¹, much higher than those of NNNR-1 (96 cm GW⁻¹) and the well-known NLO material C₆₀ (153 cm GW⁻¹). Our findings indicate that the N-doping of nonalternant nanoribbons is an effective strategy to access another type of excellent material system for high-performance NLO applications, which can be extended to construct numerous heteroatom-doped nonalternant nanoribbons with fine-tunable electronic properties.     

Trapping of photogenerated group IV radicals by TEMPO: Potential new organometallic initiators for “living” free radical polymerization

A series of trialkyl and triaryl organometallic radicals from group IV generated by hydrogen abstraction by tert‐butoxyl radical from the parent hydrides have been examined using laser flash photolysis. The rate constants for the trapping of the metal‐centered radicals by the persistent radical TEMPO were measured and were found to be large and similar to those of the carbon‐centered radical systems, yet below the diffusion controlled limit. The metal‐centered radicals were found to be efficiently trapped by TEMPO and would appear to be candidates suitable for “living” free radical polymerization similar to carbon analogue stoichiometric initiators. The radical trapping rate constants for the trialkyl series (M = Si, Ge, Sn) were found to be 8.9 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 7.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 6.2 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. The triaryl (Ph₃M•) series gave slightly slower rates of 1.6 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Si), 3.4 × 10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Ge), and 1.9 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (M = Sn), respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 238–244, 2000     

Structures and enhanced third-order nonlinear optical performance of four complexes investigated by thin film <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z-</Emphasis>scan technique

Four transition metal complexes have been synthesized via hydrothermal reactions, namely, [Zn(1,3-BIB)(CH₃COO)₂]₂ 1, [Cu₂(1,4-BIB)₃(CO₃)₂](1,4-BIB)·10H₂O 2, {[Mn(H₂O)₂(1,2-BIB)₂]Cl₂}_n 3, and {[Mn(1,2-BIB)(1,4-NDC)]₂}_n 4, where 1,n-BIB = 1,n-bis(imidazol-l-yl-methyl)benzene, n = 2, 3, 4 and 1,4-NDC = naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid. Complex 1 presents a discrete ring-like structure. Complex 2 shows a ladder-like chain structure, while complex 3 has a joint-like chain structure. Complex 4 features a layer structure constructed from [Mn₂(N₄O₈)] clusters. The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these complexes in thin films have been investigated by employing the Z-scan technique. Complexes 1–3 exhibit strong third-order NLO reverse-saturable absorption, while 4 shows third-order NLO saturable absorption and a strong self-defocusing effect. The third-order NLO susceptibilities χ ⁽³⁾ of the four complexes were calculated as 2.74 × 10^?9, 12.24 × 10^?9, 42.78 × 10^?9 and 189.32 × 10^?9 esu, respectively. The electronic structures of the complexes were investigated by density functional theory, and the origins of their NLO properties are discussed.     

Direct Observation of Radical Intermediates While Investigating the Redox Behavior of Thiamin Coenzyme Models

The redox behavior of “active aldehydes” 1 ⁻ derived from 3-benzylthiazolium salts and simple aldehydes in the presence of a base has been examined with low-temperature cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy. The highly negative oxidation potentials of 1 ⁻ and the spin distribution of the intermediate radicals 1 ^. indicate that the active aldehyde can act as an efficient electron mediator in thiamin-dependent enzymatic redox systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel second-order NLO-chromophores bearing pyrrole as an electron donor group

Two series of novel push–pull 1-(4-(thiophen-2-yl)phenyl)-1H-pyrroles 3–5 were designed to explore the consequence of using different electron accepting moieties linked to the thiophene at the arylthiophene bridge or to the pyrrole heterocycle, which plays the role of donor group. Compound 2 showed a different reactivity behavior in the presence of the Vilsmeier reagent or with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) giving compounds 4a and 4b functionalized, respectively, at the 2 or on the 3-position of the pyrrole heterocycle. Their optical (linear and first hyperpolarizability), electrochemical, and thermal properties have been examined. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) in dioxane solutions using a fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm was employed to evaluate their second-order nonlinear optical properties. Of these systems, thiobarbituric acid derivative 5b functionalized in the thiophene ring exhibits the largest first hyperpolarizability (β=2480×10^?30 esu, T convention) compared to the corresponding compound 4c substituted on the pyrrole heterocycle (β=290×10^?30 esu, T convention). Good to excellent thermal stabilities were also obtained for push–pull compounds 4 and 5 (270–288 °C). This multidisciplinary study shows that modulation of the optical and electronic properties can be achieved by introduction of the acceptor groups in the thiophene of the arylthiophene bridge. The measured molecular first hyperpolarizabilities and the observed electrochemical behavior are quite sensitive to the position of acceptor group on the heterocyclic system (on the thiophene or on the pyrrole ring) as well as the strength of the acceptor moieties. Moreover, the combination of their good nonlinearity and high thermal stability make them good candidates for second-order nonlinear optical applications.     

Oxygen bridged nitroanilines for quadratic nonlinear optics

Several nitro aromatic compounds bridged by an oxygen atom have been synthesized and their linear and nonlinear optical properties have been investigated. In one of the compounds (1), a powder SHG efficiency of 6.2 times of urea was observed while its absorption lies in the UV region. The highest molecular hyperpolarizability β, measured was 230×10⁻³⁰ for a compound (8f) with increased conjugation. Thermal stability of these compounds has been checked using differential scanning calorimetry and the decomposition temperature (T_d) was found to be high and lying between 266-298 °C. These molecules have potential importance as thermally stable, visible-transparent second order NLO materials.     

Synthesis and features of nonlinear optical switches based on dithienylethene unit

Two nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores C1 and C2 based on dithienylethene were designed and synthesized as the ultraviolet NLO switches. The open/close behavior of C1 and C2 were investigated through the UV–vis spectra. Through quantum chemical calculations of the dipole moments, first and second hyperpolarizabilities, etc. we analyzed both opening and closure states of C1 and C2. The NLO switch ability of the chromophores were studied through monitoring of the SHG at the opening/closure states, which were performed under illumination of fourth harmonic generation of the nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (λ?=?266?nm). The obtained results indicated that the maximal SHG changes were observed at energy density equal to about 90?J/m², and the samples C1, 2′ closure states possess significantly higher value of the second order susceptibility compared to the opening states. After switching off of the external UV light, the induced second order susceptibilities remain up to 150?h without a decrease, which indicated that the obtained chromophores have the potential application as the NLO switches applied in photonics.