Intermolecular Charge‐Transfer Interactions Facilitate Two‐Photon Absorption in Styrylpyridine–Tetracyanobenzene Cocrystals

Cocrystals of 4‐styrylpyridine and 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanobenzene were successfully prepared by supramolecular self‐assembly. Donor–acceptor interactions between the molecular components are the main driving force for self‐assembly and contribute to intermolecular charge transfer. The cocrystals possess two‐photon absorption properties that are not observed in the individual components; suggesting that two‐photon absorption originates from intermolecular charge‐transfer interactions in the donor–acceptor system. The origin of two‐photon absorption in multichromophore systems remains under‐researched; thus, the system offers a rare demonstration of two‐photon absorption by cocrystallization. Cocrystal engineering may facilitate further design and development of novel materials for nonlinear optical and optoelectronic applications.     

Nonlinear Optical Switching in Regioregular Porphyrin Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered immense scientific interest among porous materials because of their structural tunability and diverse properties. However, the response of such materials toward laser‐induced nonlinear optical (NLO) applications is hardly understood and demands prompt attention. Three novel regioregular porphyrin (Por)‐based porous COFs—Por‐COF‐HH and its dual metalated congeners Por‐COF‐ZnCu and Por‐COF‐ZnNi—have been prepared and present excellent NLO properties. Notably, intensity‐dependent NLO switching behavior was observed for these Por‐COFs, which is highly desirable for optical switching and optical limiting devices. Moreover, the efficient π‐conjugation and charge‐transfer transition in ZnCu‐Por‐COF enabled a high nonlinear absorption coefficient (β=4470 cm/GW) and figure of merit (FOM=σ₁/σ_o, 3565) value compared to other state‐of‐the‐art materials, including molecular porphyrins (β≈100–400 cm/GW), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs; β≈0.3–0.5 cm/GW), and graphene (β=900 cm/GW).     

A Triskelion‐Shaped Saddle–Helix Hybrid Nanographene

A unique rippled nanographene consisting of 52 fused rings is presented in which six out‐of‐plane motifs are fully fused into a triangular aromatic surface with a size of approximately 2.5 nm. Three units of an unprecedented fully lateral π‐extended octabenzo[5]helicene together with three units of saddle‐shaped heptagonal rings are combined in a single structure, leading to a well‐soluble warped nanographene. The two diastereomeric pairs of possible enantiomers were isolated, and their linear, non‐linear, and chiroptical properties were evaluated, revealing outstanding quantum yield and brightness values at low energy, together with good chiroptical responses in both absorption and emission.     

(NH4)Bi2(IO3)2F5: An Unusual Ammonium-Containing Metal Iodate Fluoride Showing Strong Second Harmonic Generation Response and Thermochromic Behavior

An ammonium-containing metal iodate fluoride compound, (NH₄)Bi₂(IO₃)₂F₅, featuring a two-dimensional double-layered framework constructed by [BiO₂F₅]⁶⁻ and [BiO₄F₄]⁹⁻ polyhedra, as well as [IO₃]⁻ groups, was successfully synthesized. The well-ordered alignment of these SHG-active units leads to an extraordinary strong SHG response of 9.2 times that of KDP. Moreover, this compound possesses a large birefringence (Δn=0.0690 at 589.3 nm), a wide energy band gap (E_g=3.88 eV), and a high laser damage threshold (LDT; 40.2×AgGaS₂). In particular, thermochromic behavior was observed for the first time in this type of compound. Such multifunctional crystals will expand the application of nonlinear optical materials.