Diaza-18-crown-6 based chromophores for modulation of two-photon absorption cross-section by metal ions

Two chromophores with diaza-18-crown-6 as receptor have been synthesized in high yields. The electronic structure, one-photon absorption (OPA) spectra, and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties have been studied in detail. When no metal ion is added as input, both show negligible TPA cross-section (σ₂). However, in the presence of Zn(II)/Cd(II)/Mg(II)/Ca(II) ion, each exhibits large TPA cross-section value. Binding of metal ion in the receptor increases the symmetric charge transfer leading to large σ₂ values. Theoretical calculations at the B3LYP functional with 6-31G^∗ and LanL2DZ mixed basis set under DFT formalism support experimental results.