Syntheses and structures’ influence on the nonlinear optical properties of o-ferrocenylbenzoate compounds

Abstract

Two complexes containing o-ferrocenylbenzoate [ o- −OOCH 4C 6Fc, Fc = (η 5-C 5H 5)Fe(η 5-C 5H 4)] components: {[Pb(η 2- o-OOCH 4C 6Fc) 2(phen)](NO 3)} (phen = phenanthroline) ( 1) and {[Zn(η 2- o-OOCH 4C 6Fc) 2(bpe)](CH 3OH)} n (bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethene) ( 2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 gives a discrete mononuclear framework, 2 features an infinite 1-D chain structure constructed by the bpe linking two adjacent zinc (II) ions. The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of complexes 1, 2 and the reactant o-NaOOCH 4C 6Fc were determined by Z-scan techniques in DMF solution. The results show that the structures of complexes have great impact on NLO properties. Complex 1 and o-NaOOCH 4C 6Fc display self-defocusing behaviors, while complex 2 exhibits strong self-focusing effect. The solution-state differential pulse voltammograms of complexes 1, 2 and o-NaOOCH 4C 6Fc were investigated as well. The results reveal that the half-wave potential of the ferrocenyl moieties is strongly influenced by the Pb(II) or Zn(II) ions in complexes 1 and 2.