Sequential multiphoton absorption enhancement induced by zinc complexation in functionalized distyrylbenzene analogs

Functionalized distyrylbenzene analogs and , bearing a tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based receptor for Zn(2+), were synthesized by a Horner-Emmons-Wittig coupling reaction. It has been found that Zn(2+) complexation induces changes in the linear absorption spectrum that enhance a nonlinear sequential two-photon absorption of nanosecond pulses at 532 nm. This absorption was also found to depend on the nature of the substituent at the side benzene ring of the styrylbenzene structure.