Functionalized diacetylenes for nonlinear optical applications: Synthesis,characterization, and the properties of their monolayers

Synthesis and characterization of DA(8/1)OMe (14-{4′-[(methoxy)methoxy] biphenyl}-10,12-tetradecadiynoic acid) and DA(8/1)NBP (14-{4′-[(nitro)methoxy] biphenyl}-10,12-tetradecadiynoic acid ) are presented. Monolayers of DA(8/1)OMe at gas-water interface were investigated. It does not form a stable monolayer nor does it undergo polymerization at the gas-water interface. However, the Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ salts formed stable monolayer that polymerized. Polymerization was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The diacetylene analog with the more polar tail group, DA(8/1)NBP, does not form a monolayer and undergo polymerization regardless of the subphase condition. A mixed monolayer of DA(8/1)OMe and DA(8/1)NBP forms a true monolayer if the composition of DA(8/1)NBP is 50% or less. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1771–1779, 1999