Synthesis and properties of copper quinonoid complexes for optical recording application

We describe the synthesis of novel quinonemonimines Cu(II) coordination complexes, of the type:

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which, in addition to their intrinsic interest, have potential application in optical recording. The following key parameters have been highlighted: (i) the presence of coordinating arms on the quinonoid core of the ligand leads to octahedral complexes with increased solubility, (ii) the presence of Cu(II) as a metal centre leads to a favourable exothermic decomposition, (iii) the presence of quinonoid moieties results in the optical absorption to be in the desired wavelength range. To cite this article: P. Braunstein et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).