The solvation effect of photochromic nonlinear optical properties switch

Abstract

In 2009, the interesting photochromic complex o-MeCN and its isomeric close form c-MeCN were synthesized and investigated, which would transform to each other according to the characterization of UV and visible irradiation. In our work, the excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) properties are obtained by theoretical calculating. Results show that the βtot value of c-MeCN is about 12 times as large as that of o-MeCN in acetonitrile solvent, which provide a basis for NLO switch. Further, the UV–visible absorption spectrum can confirm that the remarkable βtot values for c-MeCN are mainly attributed to the charge transfer induced by the photocyclization. Significantly, the βtot values reduced with the increasing of dielectric constant ε of the solvent, and the differences of βtot values between the open and close form, present a regularly change in different solvents. This reversible photochromic process and solvent effect may open up new opportunities for the discovery of attractive NLO switch.