Nonlinear optical chromophores with configuration-locked polyenes possessing enhanced thermal stability and chemical stability

Abstract

A synthetic strategy has been developed for preparation of NLO chromophores with all the pi-conjugated methine groups incorporated into plane-rigidified, fused, six-membered rings. The comparison of the rigidified chromophores to the analogous nonrigid chromophores shows that the configuration-locking methods provide a dramatic enhancement of molecular thermal stability. The data from W-vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography reveal that the rigidity of the annulated rings does not diminish the planarity and the electron delocalization efficiency of the polyenic chain.