Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Dithienylethene–Indolinooxazolidine Hybrid: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a double photochrome molecular switch are reported for the first time by considering the four trans forms of a dithienylethene–indolinooxazolidine hybrid. The four forms are characterized by means of hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) experiments and quantum chemical calculations. Experimental measurements provide evidence that the pH‐ and light‐triggered transformations between the different forms of the hybrid are accompanied by large variations of the first hyperpolarizability, which makes this compound an effective multistate NLO switch. Quantum chemical calculations conducted at the time‐dependent Hartree–Fock and time‐dependent DFT levels agree with the experimental data and allow a complete rationalization of the NLO responses of the different forms. The HRS signal of the forms with an open indolinooxazolidine moiety are more than one order of magnitude larger than that measured for the other forms, whereas the open/closed status of the dithienylethene subunit barely influences the dynamic NLO properties. However, extrapolation of the NLO responses to the static limit leads to univocally distinguishable intrinsic responses for three of the various forms. This hybrid system thus acts as a highly efficient multistate NLO switch for eventual exploitation in optical memory systems with multiple storage and nondestructive readout capacity.     

Two‐Way Molecular Switches with Large Nonlinear Optical Contrast

Molecular switches : Highly efficient acido‐ and photoswitchable frequency doublers (see scheme) based on the indolinooxazolidine core are studied by means of hyper‐Rayleigh experiments and quantum‐chemical calculations.

     

Synthesis,Photophysical and Electrochemical Properties of Amide‐Linked Phthalocyanine‐Fullerene Dyad

A new amide‐linked phthalocyanine‐fullerene dyad ZnPc‐C₆₀ was synthesized and characterized. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the ZnPc‐C₆₀ dyad were investigated. The fluorescence spectrum and quantum yield in different solvents showed the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the singlet excited ZnPc to C₆₀, which was further confirmed by nanosecond transient absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry data. The free energy change for charge separation (ΔG_CS) was estimated to be exothermic with ?0.51 eV, which favored the formation of charge‐separation state. The PET from ZnPc to C₆₀ in ZnPc‐C₆₀ made the dyad exhibit stronger reverse saturable absorption performance compared with C₆₀ and the control sample in the Z‐scan experiments, which indicated the synergistic effect of two active moieties in the dyad.     

Interplay between the Diradical Character and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties in Fullerene Systems

To reveal new structure–property relationships in the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of fullerenes that are associated with their open‐shell character, we investigated the interplay between the diradical character (y_i) and second hyperpolarizability (longitudinal component, γ_zzzz) in several fullerenes, including C₂₀ , C₂₆ , C₃₀ , C₃₆ , C₄₀ , C₄₂ , C₄₈ , C₆₀ , and C₇₀ , by using the broken‐symmetry density functional theory (DFT; LC‐UBLYP (μ=0.33)/6‐31G*//UB3LYP/6‐31G*). We found that the large differences between the geometry and topology of fullerenes have a significant effect on the diradical character of each fullerene. On the basis of their different diradical character, these fullerenes were categorized into three groups, that is, closed‐shell (y_i=0), intermediate open‐shell (0<y_i<1), and almost pure open‐shell compounds (y_i?1), which originated from their diverse topological features, as explained by odd‐electron‐density and spin‐density diagrams. For example, we found that closed‐shell fullerenes include C₂₀ , C₆₀ , and C₇₀ , whereas fullerenes C₂₆ and C₃₆ and C₃₀ , C₄₀ , C₄₂ , and C₄₈ are pure and intermediate open‐shell compounds, respectively. Interestingly, the γ_zzzz enhancement ratios between C₃₀ / C₃₆ and C₄₀ / C₆₀ are 4.42 and 11.75, respectively, regardless of the smaller π‐conjugation size in C₃₀ and C₄₀ than in C₃₆ and C₆₀ . Larger γ_zzzz values were obtained for other fullerenes that had intermediate diradical character, in accordance with our previous valence configuration interaction (VCI) results for the two‐site diradical model. The γ_zzzz density analysis shows that the large positive contributions originate from the large γ_zzzz density distributions on the right‐ and left‐extended edges of the fullerenes, between which significant spin polarizations (related to their intermediate diradical character) appear within the spin‐unrestricted DFT level of theory.     

Facile Synthesis and Enhanced Nonlinear Optical Properties of Porphyrin‐Functionalized Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Two multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)‐based nanohybrids, MWCNT–ZnTPP and MWCNT–TPP (TPP=5‐[4‐{2‐(4‐formylphenoxy)‐ ethyloxy}phenyl]‐10,15,20‐triphenylporphyrin, ZnTPP=5‐[4‐{(4‐formylphenyl)ethynyl}phenyl]‐10,15,20‐triphenylporphinatozinc(II)), were prepared directly from pristine MWCNTs through 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions. Covalent attachment of the porphyrins to the surfaces of the MWCNTs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet/visible absorption, fluorescence, Raman, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Attachment of the porphyrin moieties to the surface of the MWCNTs significantly improves the solubility and ease of processing of these MWCNT–porphyrin composite materials. Z‐scan studies reveal that these MWCNT–porphyrin nanohybrids exhibit enhanced nonlinear optical properties under both nanosecond and picosecond laser pulses at λ=532 nm in comparison with free MWCNTs and the free porphyrin chromophores, whereas superior optical limiting performance was displayed by MWCNT–porphyrin composite materials rather than MWCNTs/ZnTPP and MWCNTs/TPP blends, which is consistent with a remarkable accumulation effect as a result of the covalent linkage between the porphyrin and the MWCNTs.     

两个二阶非线性光学高分子的合成与性能：改善高分子光学非线性-透明性矛盾的尝试

通过后功能化反应将两个新的非线性光学发色团（1和2）分别作为侧链引入聚芳醚砜主链,得到两个新的非线性光学高分子（P1和P2）。这两个发色团（1和2）被设计为含有相同的电子给体（二烷基氨基）和相同的电子受体（TCF）,但含有不同长度的共轭桥,即2包含一个组合共轭桥（苯基二氮烯 + 苯乙烯）,而1的共轭桥要短得多（仅为苯乙烯）。研究了P1和P2的线性和非线性光学性质。与P1相比,P2在呈现出相近的非线性光学系数（d₃₃）的同时异乎寻常地达到了更好的光学透明性（最大吸收波长蓝移16 nm）。结果表明：组合共轭桥结构的引入对于在非线性光学高分子的非线性-透明性之间达到某种平衡起到了良好作用。     

Three Distinct Redox States of an Oxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex

A series of [{(terpy)(bpy)Ru}(μ‐O){Ru(bpy)(terpy)}]ⁿ⁺ ( [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ , terpy=2,2′;6′,2′′‐terpyridine, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was systematically synthesized and characterized in three distinct redox states (n=3, 4, and 5 for Ru^II,III₂ , Ru^III,III₂ , and Ru^III,IV₂ , respectively). The crystal structures of [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ (n=3, 4, 5) in all three redox states were successfully determined. X‐ray crystallography showed that the Ru? O distances and the Ru‐O‐Ru angles are mainly regulated by the oxidation states of the ruthenium centers. X‐ray crystallography and ESR spectra clearly revealed the detailed electronic structures of two mixed‐valence complexes, [Ru^IIIORu^IV]⁵⁺ and [Ru^IIORu^III]³⁺ , in which each unpaired electron is completely delocalized across the oxo‐bridged dinuclear core. These findings allow us to understand the systematic changes in structure and electronic state that accompany the changes in the redox state.     

Syntheses,Spectroscopic, Electrochemical,and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Studies of a Hybrid Tris{ruthenium(alkynyl)/(2‐phenylpyridine)}iridium Complex

The synthesis of fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CC₆H₄‐4‐C?CH)}₃] ( 10 ), which bears pendant ethynyl groups, and its reaction with [RuCl(dppe)₂]PF₆ to afford the heterobimetallic complex fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CC₆H₄‐4‐C?C‐trans‐[RuCl(dppe)₂])}₃] ( 11 ) is described. Complex 10 is available from the two‐step formation of iodo‐functionalized fac‐tris[2‐(4‐iodophenyl)pyridine]iridium(III) ( 6 ), followed by ligand‐centered palladium‐catalyzed coupling and desilylation reactions. Structural studies of tetrakis[2‐(4‐iodophenyl)pyridine‐N,C₁′](μ‐dichloro)diiridium 5 , 6 , fac‐[Ir{N,C₁′‐(2,2′‐NC₅H₄C₆H₃‐5′‐C?C‐1‐C₆H₂‐3,5‐Et₂‐4‐C?CH)}₃] ( 8 ), and 10 confirm ligand‐centered derivatization of the tris(2‐phenylpyridine)iridium unit. Electrochemical studies reveal two ( 5 ) or one ( 6 – 10 ) Ir‐centered oxidations for which the potential is sensitive to functionalization at the phenylpyridine groups but relatively insensitive to more remote derivatization. Compound 11 undergoes sequential Ru‐centered and Ir‐centered oxidation, with the potential of the latter significantly more positive than that of Ir(N,C′‐NC₅H₄‐2‐C₆H₄‐2)₃. Ligand‐centered π–π* transitions characteristic of the Ir(N,C′‐NC₅H₄‐2‐C₆H₄‐2)₃ unit red‐shift and gain in intensity following the iodo and alkynyl incorporation. Spectroelectrochemical studies of 6 , 7 , 9 , and 11 reveal the appearance in each case of new low‐energy LMCT bands following formal Ir^III/IV oxidation preceded, in the case of 11 , by the appearance of a low‐energy LMCT band associated with the formal Ru^II/III oxidation process. Emission maxima of 6 – 10 reveal a red‐shift upon alkynyl group introduction and arylalkynyl π‐system lengthening; this process is quenched upon incorporation of the ligated ruthenium moiety on proceeding to 11 . Third‐order nonlinear optical studies of 11 were undertaken at the benchmark wavelengths of 800 nm (fs pulses) and 532 nm (ns pulses), the results from the former suggesting a dominant contribution from two‐photon absorption, and results from the latter being consistent with primarily excited‐state absorption.     

Theoretical Study of the Substituent Effects on the Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Room‐Temperature‐Stable Organic Electride

Excess‐electron compounds can be considered as novel candidates for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because of their large static first hyperpolarizabilities (β₀). A room‐temperature‐stable, excess‐electron compound, that is, the organic electride Na@(TriPip222), was successfully synthesized by the Dye group (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005 , 127, 12416). In this work, the β₀ of this electride was first evaluated to be 1.13×10⁶ au, which revealed its potential as a high‐performance NLO material. In particular, the substituent effects of different substituents on the structure, electride character, and NLO response of this electride were systemically studied for the first time by density functional theory calculations. The results revealed that the β₀ of Na@(TriPip222) could be further increased to 8.30×10⁶ au by introducing a fluoro substituent, whereas its NLO response completely disappeared if one nitryl group was introduced because the nitro‐group substitution deprived the material of its electride identity. Moreover, herein the dependence of the NLO properties on the number of substituents and their relative positions was also detected in multifluoro‐substituted Na@(TriPip222) compounds.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Cross‐Conjugated Perphenylated iso‐Polydiacetylenes

Monodisperse, cross‐conjugated perphenylated iso‐polydiacetylene (iso‐PDA) oligomers, ranging from monomer 15 to pentadecamer 25 , have been synthesized by using a palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling protocol. Structural characteristics elucidated by X‐ray crystallographic analysis demonstrate a non‐planar backbone conformation for the oligomers due to the steric interactions between alkylidene phenyl groups. The electronic absorption spectra of the oligomers show a slight red‐shift of the maximum absorption wavelength as the chain length increases from dimer 17 b to pentadecamer 25 , a trend that has saturated by the stage of nonamer 22 . Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms that the pendent phenyl groups present on the oligomer framework enhance emission, and the relative emission intensity consistently increases as a function of chain length n. The molecular third‐order nonlinearities, γ, for this oligomer series have been measured via differential optical Kerr effect (DOKE) detection and show a superlinear increase as a function of the oligomer chain length n. Molecular modeling and spectroscopic studies suggest that iso‐PDA oligomers (n>7) adopt a coiled, helical conformation in solution.     

A Multistate pH‐Triggered Nonlinear Optical Switch

By using hyper‐Rayleigh scattering experiments and quantum‐chemical calculations, we demonstrate that nonlinear optics can be used to probe unequivocally, within a non‐destructive process, the multiple electronic states that are activated upon pH‐ and light‐triggered transformations of the 4′‐hydroxyflavylium ion. These results open new perspectives in the design of molecular‐scale high‐density optical memory.     

Synthesis,Photophysics and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Stilbenoid Pyrimidine‐Based Dyes Bearing Methylenepyran Donor Groups

The nonlinear properties and the photophysical behavior of two π‐conjugated chromophores that incorporate an electron‐deficient pyrimidine core (A) and γ‐methylenepyrans as terminal donor (D) groups have been thoroughly investigated. Both dipolar and quadrupolar branching strategies are explored and rationalized on the basis of the Frenkel exciton model. Even though a cooperative effect is clearly observed if the dimensionality is increased, the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of this series is moderate if one considers the nature of the D/A couple and the size of the chromophores (as measured by the number of π electrons). This effect was attributed to a disruption in the electronic conjugation within the dyes’ scaffold for which the geometry deviates from planarity owing to a noticeable twisting of the pyranylidene end‐groups. This latter structural parameter also has a strong influence on the excited‐state dynamics, which leads to a very efficient fluorescence quenching.     

Non‐Resonant z‐Scan Characterization of the Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Conjugated Poly(thiophene azines)

The nonlinear optical properties of a functionalized poly(thiophene azine), namely, poly(3,4‐didodecylthiophene azine), PAZ, at the optical telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm are investigated by means of the closed‐aperture z‐scan technique in both thin films and solutions. Values of χ⁽³⁾=(2.4±0.4)×10^?13 esu, n₂=(4.0±0.7)×10^?15 cm² W^?1, and γ=(4.5±0.7)×10^?34 esu are estimated for the third‐order (Kerr) susceptibility, the intensity‐dependent refractive index, and the molecular second hyperpolarizability of solution samples, respectively. A very small dependence on the polymer chain length is found. Markedly higher values of (4.4±1.1)×10^?11 esu, (6.6±1.0)×10^?13 cm² W^?1, and (5.0±0.8)×10^?33 esu are measured for the corresponding quantities in thick (up to 20 μm) polymer films cast on quartz plates. The enhancement of the NLO responses on going from solution to solid samples is attributed to a partially ordered structure and to the presence of interchain interactions leading to greater π‐electron delocalization in the cast polymer films. The results are compared with those previously obtained by using third‐harmonic generation (THG), taking into account that those data were measured under conditions of three‐photon resonance, whereas our z‐scan measurements are fully off‐resonance.     

四叔丁基萘酞菁铅化合物的非线性和光限幅特性

合成了四叔丁基萘酞菁铅[(t-Bu)₄NcPb]化合物. 利用元素分析、红外光谱、核磁共振氢谱等方法, 验证了化合物的分子结构. 应用调Q倍频ns/ps Nd:YAG脉冲激光系统, 在波长为532 nm下, 研究了化合物的非线性和光限幅特性. 测得化合物的非线性折射率n₂和三阶非线性极化率χ⁽³⁾分别为2.42×10^－11和7.91×10^－12 esu, 通过计算得到分子极化率γ'为3.4×10^－29 esu. 在透过率69%时限幅阈值为1522 mJ/cm², 箝位值为553 mJ/cm², 有效激发态与基态吸收截面比为3.16.     

Electron‐Transfer Photochromism To Switch Bulk Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties with High Contrast

The first bulk electron‐transfer photochromic compound with intrinsic second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) photoswitching properties has been synthesized. This system employs an electron‐transfer photoactive asymmetric viologen ligand coordinated to a zinc(II) center.     

A Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Oxazine Molecular Switch: A Strategy for the Design of Electrochromic Materials

A multi‐state and multi‐stimuli‐responsive oxazine molecular switch that combines an electro‐base property and sensitive base/acid‐responsive properties was designed and synthesized. The multi‐state structures of the molecular switch, with different colors, were predicted by comparing the optical properties with reference molecules and confirmed by using NMR spectroscopy. The color‐switching mechanism under stimulation with acids and bases was investigated by using DFT calculations. Three single states can be obtained and the switching is unidirectional under acid and base stimulation. The electrochromic phenomenon of the molecular switch, which combines its electro‐base and base‐sensitive properties, was demonstrated. An electrochromic device that exhibited good electrochromic properties with excellent reversibility (2000 cycles) and high coloration efficiency (804 cm² C^?1) was successfully constructed.     

Naphthobipyrrole‐Derived Sapphyrins: Rational Synthesis,Characterization, Nonlinear Optical Properties,and Excited‐State Dynamics

Two new free‐base β‐octa and hexaalkyl naphthobipyrrole‐derived sapphyrins are reported along with various salts thereof. One of them has substituents at all of its β positions, whereas the pyrrole unit opposite to the bipyrrolic moiety is unsubstituted in the other. The effect of bipyrrole fusion on the structure of sapphyrins was explored. Interestingly, an unprecedented sandwiched supramolecular aqua‐bridged free‐base sapphyrin dimer was also characterized in the solid state. Further, the effect of anions on the third‐order nonlinear optical properties of these sapphyrins were explored in the salt form, along with their detailed excited‐state dynamics by both degenerate and nondegenerate pump–probe studies.