Synthesis, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of multiple [60]fullerene-oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene) hybrids

A series of multiple [60]fullerene terminated oligo(p-phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) hybrid compounds has been synthesized through a newly developed in situ ethynylation method. Structural and magnetic shielding properties of the highly unsaturated carbon-rich C(60) and OPE scaffolds were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Electronic interactions between the [60]fullerenes and the OPE backbones were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. Our studies clearly show that although the multiple [60]fullerene groups are connected via pi-conjugated OPE frameworks, they present diminutive electronic interactions in the ground state, and the electronic behavior of the [60]fullerene cages are only affected by the OPE backbones through modest inductive effects. Interestingly, sizable third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses (gamma) and enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections (sigma((2))) were determined for the multifullerene-OPE hybrid 31 relative to its OPE precursor from differential optical Kerr effect (DOKE) experiments. Such enhanced NLO performance is presumably due to the occurrence of periconjugation and/or charge transfer effects in the excited state. In addition, comparatively strong excited-state absorption was observed and characterized for OPE pentamer 12. Thus, the use of such fullerene-derivatized conjugated oligomers aids the quest for molecules with large third-order NLO and TPA properties.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of fluorine-containing naphthalocyanines

The fluorine-containing metal naphthalocyanines [F16NcGaCl] (7) and [(F16NcGa)2O] (8), which represent the first examples of peripherally fluorine substituted naphthalocyanines, were synthesized, and the nonlinear optical transmission was studied. Peripheral substitution by fluorine atoms enhances the solubility and photostability of the naphthalocyanines. In particular, for the axially mu-oxo-bridged naphthalocyanine dimer 8, practically no aggregation was observed in organic solvents and it has proved to be an efficient optical limiter when irradiated with laser light pulses at the wavelength of 532 nm, with pulse duration of 5 ns and repetition rate of 20 Hz.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical absorption of novel porphyrin-osmium-cluster complexes

Reaction of azido(tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)indium(III) [TTPInN(3)] and [Os(3)(mu-H)(2)(CO)(10)] in toluene at 80 degrees C overnight gave two major products, complexes 1 and 2. Complex 1 had an axial bridge of "NH", while 2 had an axial bridge of "N" between the porphyrin and osmium cluster moieties. Complex 1 could be converted to 2 when refluxed in toluene. These two novel porphyrin-osmium clusters are the first axially linked porphyrin-metal cluster complexes. UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed the significant ground state electronic perturbation in the capped complex 2, demonstrating that the remarkable electronic interaction of the moieties within the molecule was achieved by this special structural arrangement. In addition, the electrochemistry of 1 and 2 were investigated and their oxidation current voltage curves are similar to those of indium(III)-porphyrins with a metal-metal sigma bond such as [TPPInRe(CO)(5)] (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin). The two new molecules also exhibit large nonlinear optical absorption at 532 nm with a ns pulse laser and are potential optical limiting materials for sensor protection in the visible region.     

Electron-rich iron/ruthenium arylalkynyl complexes for third-order nonlinear optics: redox-switching between three states

The new [(η(2)-dppe)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Fe(C≡C-1,4-C(6)H(4)C≡C)Ru(η(2) -dppe)(2) C≡C(C(6)H(5))] complex (3-H) and its hexanuclear relative [{(η(2)-dppe)(η(5)-C(5) Me(5))Fe(C≡C-1,4-C(6)H(4)-C≡C)Ru(η(2)-dppe)(2)(C≡C-1,4-C(6)H(4)C≡C)(3)(1,3,5-C(6)H(3))] (4) have been synthesized and characterized. The linear and cubic nonlinear optical properties of these compounds in their various redox states have been studied along with those of the analogous complexes [(η(2)-dppe)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Fe(C≡C-1,4-C(6)H(4)C≡C)Ru(η(2)-dppe)(2)R][PF(6)](n) (n=0-2; R=Cl, 2-Cl; R=C≡C(4-C(6)H(4)NO(2)),3-NO(2)). We show that molecules exhibiting large third-order nonlinearities can be obtained by assembling such dinuclear Fe/Ru units around a central 1,3,5-substituted C(6)H(3) core. These data are discussed with a particular emphasis on the large changes in their nonlinear (third-order) optical properties brought about by oxidation. Experimental and computational (DFT) evidence for the electronic structures of these compounds in their various redox states is presented using 3-H(n+) as a prototypical model. Single crystals of this complex in its mono-oxidized state (3-H[PF(6)]) provide the first structural data for such carbon-rich Fe(III) /Ru(II) heteronuclear mixed-valent (MV) systems. Although experimental evidence for the structure of the dioxidized states was more difficult to obtain, the theoretical study reveals that 3-H(2+) can be considered to have a biradical structure with two independent spins. The low-lying absorptions that appear in the near-infrared (NIR) range for all these compounds following oxidation correspond to intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) bands for the mono-oxidized states and to ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions for the dioxidized states. These play a crucial role in the strong optical modulation achieved. The possibility of accessing additional states with distinct linear or nonlinear optical properties is also briefly discussed.     

Theoretical investigation of the second-order nonlinear optical properties of helical pyridine-pyrimidine oligomers

The structure and second-order nonlinear optical properties of a series of helical pyridine-pyrimidine oligomers recently synthesized by Barboiu and Lehn have been investigated theoretically by combining molecular mechanics and quantum chemistry approaches. In the absence of substituents, the hyper-Rayleigh scattering response (betaHRS) and the projection of the first hyperpolarizability on the dipole moment (beta||) exhibit periodic variations with chain length, but these nonlinear optical responses remain small. The first hyperpolarizabilities can, however, be enhanced by adding substituents. The greatest enhancement is obtained by substituting the pyrimidine groups by donor groups. Moreover, regular distributions of the donor groups around the helices enable the design of supramolecular structures exhibiting dipolar, octupolar or Lambda-shaped nonlinear optical characters, evident from the values of the depolarization ratios in hyper-Rayleigh scattering. Therefore this theoretical investigation demonstrates the potential of helical structures for the organization of chromophores in such a way that they exhibit large and specific second-order nonlinear optical responses.     

Synthesis,structure and nonlinear optical properties of three dimensional compounds

The combination of metal ions with H₃tbba has resulted in the formation of two three dimensional coordination compounds {[Zn(H₂tbba)₂(H₂O)] · 2(OC₃H₆)} _n (1) and {[Mn(H₂tbba)₂(H₂O)] · 2(OC₃H₆)} _n (2) (H₂tbba = 2-thiobarbituric acid anion). Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural with metal ions bridged by four hydroxyl oxygens from four different H₂tbba ligands to form a 3D network. H₂tbba exhibits bidentate coordination with both hydroxyl oxygens participating in coordination, a new coordination mode. Nonlinear absorption and refraction of 1 and 2 in DMF are studied by using Z-scan measurement technique at 532 nm. 1 and 2 possess nonlinear optical absorption and self-focusing.     

A chiroptical molecular switch with distinct chiral and photochromic entities and its application in optical switching of a cholesteric liquid crystal

Two new structurally related photoswitches are described, in which azobenzene photochromism is combined with the chirality of a 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl unit. In system 1 the chiral binaphthyl moiety is bridged by a methylene tether, locking the biaryl chirality while in system 2 the biaryl core is unbridged and has considerable conformational flexibility. Both compound are capable of inducing cholesteric liquid crystalline phases and proved to be good photoswitches both in solution and in a liquid crystalline matrix. Compound 2 is capable of completely reversing the liquid crystalline chirality which is unique for a chiroptical molecular switch where the switching unit and the chiral moiety are separate entities.     

Electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in cholesteric liquid crystals: Morphology and optical properties

Electrochemical polymerization in a cholesteric liquid‐crystal electrolyte was carried out. Polypyrrole thus synthesized in a cholesteric liquid‐crystal electrolyte could be clearly seen to form a specific morphology. The polypyrrole films exhibited chiroptical properties and formed various surface structures such as Schlieren, Nazca‐line, sea‐anemone, and wire‐loop structures. These structures that developed during polymerization were preserved even after washing. Moreover, no chiral molecule reacted chemically with the monomer during polymerization, and the electrolyte functioned only as a matrix chiral continuum. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1377–1387, 2007.     

Alkynyl expanded donor-acceptor calixarenes: geometry and second-order nonlinear optical properties

A number of wide- and narrow-rimmed functionalized alkynylcalix[4]arenes have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. With respect to their optical properties, these donor-acceptor systems are treated as ensembles of covalently linked, electronically independent tolane subchromophores. Linear UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic investigations revealed that the charge-transfer character of the electronic transitions in calixarenes, and also the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties depend on the electron-withdrawing nature of the terminal ethynylphenyl substituent (NO(2), CF(3), H). The nitro derivatives display high values of the quadratic hyperpolarizability beta. Not only do the (nonlinear) optical properties of the target compounds depend on the number and relative disposition of the subchromophores, but also on the geometry of the calixarenes. In particular, the opening angle of the calixarene cavity can be determined by the substitution pattern of the calixarene scaffold (wide- versus narrow-rim substitution) and the number of the acetylene functions introduced. Both the NLO properties and the conformational issues are conveniently assessed by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) in solution, and supported by X-ray crystallography in the solid state.     

Electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and molecular quadratic and cubic nonlinear optical properties of alkynylruthenium dendrimers

A combination of cyclic voltammetry (CV), UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and spectroelectrochemistry, hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) [including depolarization studies], Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) [including studies employing an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical (OTTLE) cell to effect electrochemical switching of nonlinearity], pump-probe, and electroabsorption (EA) measurements have been used to comprehensively investigate the electronic, linear optical, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of nanoscopic pi-delocalizable electron-rich alkynylruthenium dendrimers, their precursor dendrons, and their linear analogues. CV, UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, and UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry reveal that the reversible metal-centered oxidation processes in these complexes are accompanied by strong linear optical changes, "switching on" low-energy absorption bands, the frequency of which is tunable by ligand replacement. HRS studies at 1064 nm employing nanosecond pulses reveal large nonlinearities for these formally octupolar dendrimers; depolarization measurements are consistent with lack of coplanarity upon pi-framework extension through the metal. EA studies at 350-800 nm in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix are consistent with the important transitions having a charge-transfer exciton character that increases markedly on introduction of peripheral polarizing substituent. Time-resolved pump-probe studies employing 55 ps, 527 nm pulses reveal absorption saturation, the longest excited-state lifetime being observed for the dendrimer. Z-scan studies at 800 nm employing femtosecond pulses reveal strong two-photon absorption that increases significantly on progression from linear complex to zero- and then first-generation dendrimer with no loss of optical transparency. Both refractive and absorptive nonlinearity for selected alkynylruthenium dendrimers have been reversibly "switched" by employing the Z-scan technique at 800 and 1180 nm and 100-150 fs pulses, together with a specially modified OTTLE cell, complementary femtosecond time-resolved DFWM and transient absorption studies at 800 nm suggesting that the NLO effects originate in picosecond time scale processes.     

Fabrication of ultrathin films with large third-order nonlinear optical properties.

An ultrathin composite film containing anionic Ag-His complexes (His: L-Histidine) and oppositely charged BH-PPV was fabricated by means of the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. UV/Vis spectra showed a continuous deposition process of Ag-His complexes and BH-PPV. The film structure was characterized by using small-angle X-ray diffraction, AFM, and SEM. The nonlinear optical properties of the ultrathin film were studied by using the Z-scan technique with a laser duration of 8 ns at a wavelength of 532 nm. The film sample exhibited a strong nonlinear saturated absorption, with an alpha2 value of -3.9 x 10(-5) mW(-1) and a self-defocusing effect with an n2 value of -4.78 x 10 (-12) m2W(-1).     

Third‐order nonlinear optical properties of dendritic molecular aggregates: Effects of fractal architecture

We investigate the microscopic third‐order nonlinear optical properties, i.e., the second hyperpolarizabilities (γ), of two different sizes of molecular aggregates with a dendritic, i.e., Bethe‐lattice, structure. One possesses a nonfractal structure, while the other has a fractal structure. The aggregate is treated in a two‐exciton model composed of two‐state monomers coupled to each other by the dipole–dipole interaction. The off‐resonant γ of the aggregates are calculated by the numerical Liouville approach, including relaxation effects. The total γ value is partitioned into the contribution of virtual exciton generation, and its spatial contribution to γ is analyzed in relation to the virtual excitation processes in the perturbation theory. It is found that the intermolecular‐interaction effect enhances both one‐ and two‐exciton‐generation contributions, while the relaxation effect reduces those, although the one‐ and two‐exciton‐generation contributions have mutually opposite signs. From the comparison of spatial contributions to γ between the nonfractal and fractal aggregates, an enhancement of the contribution to γ from the periphery to the core is observed in the fractal structure, while such a feature is not observed in the nonfractal structure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

Large enhancement of the nonlinear optical response of reduced fullerene derivatives

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of fulleropyrrolidine and its salt as well as their reduced forms are investigated. Upon reduction, the response increases by up to, and sometimes more than, three orders of magnitude, giving values comparable to the largest ever reported. Calculations and experiments provide a coherent picture for the nonlinear optical properties of these new materials.     

Oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene and oxacorrole-ferrocene conjugates: synthesis, structure, and nonlinear optical properties

Ferrocenyl macrocyclic conjugates involving 22 pi oxasmaragdyrins and 18 pi oxacorroles have been synthesized and characterized. The direct covalent linkage of the ferrocenyl moiety to the meso position of the macrocycle is achieved by simple oxidative coupling of appropriate precursors with trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst. The electronic coupling between the ferrocenyl moiety and the macrocyclic pi system is apparent from: a) the red shifts (293-718 cm(-1)) of the Soret and Q-bands in the electronic absorption spectra of ferrocenyl conjugates; b) the shift of oxidation potentials (50-130 mV) of both the ferrocene and the corrole rings to the positive potentials; and c) considerable shortening of the C-C bond which connects the ferrocene and the meso-carbon atom of the macrocycle. The single-crystal X-ray structure of oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 9 reveals the planarity of the 22 pi skeleton with very small deviations of the meso-carbon atoms. The meso-ferrocenyl substituent has a small dihedral angle of 38 degrees, making way for mixing of the molecular orbitals of the ferrocene and the macrocycle. However, the other two meso substituents are almost perpendicular to the mean plane, defined by the three meso carbon atoms. Classical C-H...O and nonclassical C-H...pi interactions lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular network. Ferrocene-smaragdyrin conjugate 9 bonds to a chloride ion in the protonated form and a rhodium(i) ion in the free base form. Nonlinear optical measurements reveal a larger nonlinear refractive index (-5.83 x 10(-8)cm(2)W(-1)) and figure of merit (2.28 x 10(-8)cm(3)W(-1)) for the rhodium smaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 19 than for the others, suggesting its possible application in optical devices.