Hyperpolarizability Beta Research Articles

ChemInform Abstract: The Electronic Structure and Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Donor-Acceptor Acetylenes: A Detailed Investigation of Structure- Property Relationships

A series of donor-acceptor acetylene compounds was synthesized in which systematic changes in both the conjugation length and the donor-acceptor strength were made. The effect of these structural changes on the spectroscopic and electronic properties of the molecules and, ultimately, on the measured second-order molecular hyperpolarizabilities (beta) was investigated. It was found that increases in the donor-acceptor strength resulted in increases in the magnitude of beta. For this class of molecules, the increase is dominated by the energy of the intramolecular charge-transfer transition, while factors such as the ground to excited-state dipole moment change and the transition-moment integral are much less important. Increasing the conjugation length from one to two acetylene linkers did not result in an increase in the value of beta; however, beta increased sharply in going from two acetylenes to three. This increase is attributed to the superposition of several nearly isoenergetic excited states.

Diquat Derivatives: Highly Active, Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Optical Chromophores with Potential Redox Switchability

In this article, we present a detailed study of structure-activity relationships in diquaternized 2,2'-bipyridyl (diquat) derivatives. Sixteen new chromophores have been synthesized, with variations in the amino electron donor substituents, pi-conjugated bridge, and alkyl diquaternizing unit. Our aim is to combine very large, two-dimensional (2D) quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses with reversible redox chemistry. The chromophores have been characterized as their PF(6)(-) salts by using various techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Their visible absorption spectra are dominated by intense pi --> pi* intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) bands, and all show two reversible diquat-based reductions. First hyperpolarizabilities beta have been measured by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering with an 800 nm laser, and Stark spectroscopy of the ICT bands affords estimated static first hyperpolarizabilities beta(0). The directly and indirectly derived beta values are large and increase with the extent of pi-conjugation and electron donor strength. Extending the quaternizing alkyl linkage always increases the ICT energy and decreases the E(1/2) values for diquat reduction, but a compensating increase in the ICT intensity prevents significant decreases in Stark-based beta(0) responses. Nine single-crystal X-ray structures have also been obtained. Time-dependent density functional theory clarifies the molecular electronic/optical properties, and finite field calculations agree with polarized HRS data in that the NLO responses of the disubstituted species are dominated by 'off-diagonal' beta(zyy) components. The most significant findings of these studies are: (i) beta(0) values as much as 6 times that of the chromophore in the technologically important material (E)-4'-(dimethylamino)-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium tosylate; (ii) reversible electrochemistry that offers potential for redox-switching of optical properties over multiple states; (iii) strongly 2D NLO responses that may be exploited for novel practical applications; (iv) a new polar material, suitable for bulk NLO behavior.

Effects of the Metal Center and Substituting Groups on the Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Substituted Styryl-Bipyridine Metal(II) Dichloride Complexes: DFT and TDDFT Computational Investigations and Harmonic Light Scattering Measurements

UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and harmonic light scattering measurements coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out for a series of 4,4'-bis(X-styryl)-2,2'-bipyridine M(II) dichloride complexes (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; X = H, OMe, SMe, NMe(2), NEt(2), CN, NO(2)). The roles of the metal and the substituent X on their coordination geometries, absorption, and quadratic nonlinear optical properties have been investigated. We show that these complexes all exhibit a high-spin configuration and display a distorted tetrahedral metallic environment except the copper ones, which are distorted square-planar complexes. When X is a strong electron-donating group (X = NMe(2), NEt(2)), TDDFT calculations clearly demonstrate that, whereas the Zn complexes show an ILCT transition in the visible range, the Co, Ni, and Cu complexes exhibit additional MLCT and LLCT transitions. These latter transitions are vectorially opposed to the ILCT and could contribute to the decrease of the experimental quadratic hyperpolarizability beta values, in the order Zn > Ni approximately Cu > Co. The computation of the beta values using TDDFT for the whole series of the closed-shell Zn(II) complexes featuring different X substituents established that the NLO activity increases with the donating strength of X and more generally with the decrease of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap. When X is a strong withdrawing group, the drastic decrease of the NLO response is explained by the negligible participation of the HOMO-LUMO transitions.

Combining Very Large Quadratic and Cubic Nonlinear Optical Responses in Extended, Tris-Chelate Metallochromophores with Six π-Conjugated Pyridinium Substituents

We describe a series of nine new complex salts in which electron-rich Ru(II) or Fe(II) centers are connected via pi-conjugated bridges to six electron-accepting N-methyl-/N-arylpyridinium groups. This work builds upon our previous preliminary studies (Coe , B. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 13399-13410; J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 472-478), with the aims of achieving greatly enhanced NLO properties and also combining large quadratic and cubic effects in potentially redox-switchable molecules. Characterization has involved various techniques, including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The complexes display intense, visible d --> pi* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands, and their pi --> pi* intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) absorptions in the near-UV region show molar extinction coefficients as high as ca. 3.5 x 10(5) M(-1) cm(-1). Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses beta have been determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering at 800 and 1064 nm and also via Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopic studies. The directly and indirectly derived beta values are very large, with the Stark-based static first hyperpolarizabilities beta(0) reaching as high as ca. 10(-27) esu, and generally increase on extending the pi-conjugation and enhancing the electron-accepting strength of the ligands. Cubic NLO properties have also been measured by using the Z-scan technique, revealing relatively high two-photon absorption cross sections of up to 2500 GM at 750 nm.

Evolution of Linear Absorption and Nonlinear Optical Properties in V-Shaped Ruthenium(II)-Based Chromophores

In this article, we describe a series of complexes with electron-rich cis-{Ru(II)(NH(3))(4)}(2+) centers coordinated to two pyridyl ligands bearing N-methyl/arylpyridinium electron-acceptor groups. These V-shaped dipolar species are new, extended members of a class of chromophores first reported by us (Coe, B. J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 4845-4859). They have been isolated as their PF(6)(-) salts and characterized by using various techniques including (1)H NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry. Reversible Ru(III/II) waves show that the new complexes are potentially redox-switchable chromophores. Single crystal X-ray structures have been obtained for four complex salts; three of these crystallize noncentrosymmetrically, but with the individual molecular dipoles aligned largely antiparallel. Very large molecular first hyperpolarizabilities beta have been determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) with an 800 nm laser and also via Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopic studies on the intense, visible d --> pi* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and pi --> pi* intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) bands. The latter measurements afford total nonresonant beta(0) responses as high as ca. 600 x 10(-30) esu. These pseudo-C(2v) chromophores show two substantial components of the beta tensor, beta(zzz) and beta(zyy), although the relative significance of these varies with the physical method applied. According to HRS, beta(zzz) dominates in all cases, whereas the Stark analyses indicate that beta(zyy) is dominant in the shorter chromophores, but beta(zzz) and beta(zyy) are similar for the extended species. In contrast, finite field calculations predict that beta(zyy) is always the major component. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations predict increasing ILCT character for the nominally MLCT transitions and accompanying blue-shifts of the visible absorptions, as the ligand pi-systems are extended. Such unusual behavior has also been observed with related 1D complexes (Coe, B. J. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 3880-3891).

The calculation of the static first and second susceptibilities of crystalline urea: A comparison of Hartree–Fock and density functional theory results obtained with the periodic coupled perturbed Hartree–Fock/Kohn–Sham scheme

The static polarizability alpha and first hyperpolarizability beta tensors of crystalline urea and the corresponding first-(chi((1))) and second-(chi((2))) susceptibilities are calculated and compared to the same quantities obtained for the molecule by using the same code (a development version of CRYSTAL), basis set, and level of theory. In order to separate geometrical and solid state effects, two geometries are considered for the molecule in its planar conformation: (i) as cut out from the bulk structure and (ii) fully optimized. First, the effect of basis sets on computed properties is explored at the B3LYP level by employing basis sets of increasing complexity, from 6-31G(d,p) to 6-311G(2df,2pd) (Pople's family) and from DZP to QZVPPP (Thakkar/Ahlrichs/Dunning's family) on alpha and beta for both the molecule and the bulk. Then, five different levels of theory, namely, SVWN (local density approximation), PBE (generalized gradient approximation), PBE0 and B3LYP (hybrid), and Hartree-Fock are compared in combination with a TZPP basis set. Present results show that hybrid methods, in particular, B3LYP, are remarkably successful in predicting correctly both the first and second susceptibilities of urea bulk when combined at least with a triple-zeta quality basis set containing a double set of polarization functions. It is also shown that diffuse functions that are needed for molecular calculations are less crucial for the crystalline structure, as expected. Indeed, B3LYP/TZPP computed chi((1)) and chi((2)) tensor components (chi(aa) ((1))=1.107, chi(cc) ((1))=1.459, and chi((2))=-0.93 a.u.) are in very good agreement with experimental values. At variance with respect to previous periodic ab initio calculations, but in agreement with recent supermolecular results, the negative sign of chi((2)) is confirmed. Overall, static linear and nonlinear optical properties such as dielectric constants, refractive, and birefringence indices and second-harmonic generation coefficient of crystalline urea are very well reproduced by present calculations.

Highly sensitive setup for tunable wavelength hyper-Rayleigh scattering with parallel detection and calibration data for various solvents

A very sensitive experimental setup for accurate wavelength-dependent hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) measurements of the molecular first hyperpolarizability beta in the broad fundamental wavelength range of 600 to 1800 nm is presented. The setup makes use of a stable continuously tunable picosecond optical parametric amplifier with kilohertz repetition rate. To correct for multi-photon fluorescence, a small spectral range around the second harmonic wavelength is detected in parallel using a spectrograph coupled to an intensified charge-coupled device. Reliable calibration against the pure solvent is possible over the full accessible spectral range. An extensive set of wavelength-dependent HRS calibration data for a wide range of solvents is presented, and very accurate measurements of the beta dispersion of the well-known nonlinear optical chromophore Disperse Red 1 are demonstrated.

Nonlinear Optical and Related Properties of Iron(II) Pentacyanide Complexes with Quaternary Nitrogen Electron Acceptor Units

Three new complex salts Na(2)[Fe(II)(CN)(5)(L)] [L = N-methyl-4-{E,E-4-(4-pyridyl)buta-1,3-dienyl}pyridinium, N-methyl-4-{E,E,E-6-(4-pyridyl)hexa-1,3,5-trienyl}pyridinium, or N-methyl-1,4-bis-{E-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl}] benzene have been prepared. These compounds have been characterized by using various techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, allowing their properties to be compared with those of the known complexes where L = N-methylpyrazinium (Mepyz(+)), N-methyl-4,4'-bipyridinium, or N-methyl-4-[E-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium. Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses have been determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) at 1064 nm, and also via Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopic studies on the intense, visible d --> pi* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. The MLCT transitions show large red-shifts on moving from aqueous to methanol solutions, and these excitations are associated with relatively large static first hyperpolarizabilities beta(0). Single crystal X-ray structures of two hydrated materials containing the complex anion [Fe(II)(CN)(5)(Mepyz(+))](2-) have been determined, and both of these show some degree of alignment of the constituent complex dipoles.

Quadratic response functions in the relativistic four-component Kohn-Sham approximation

A formulation and implementation of the quadratic response function in the adiabatic four-component Kohn-Sham approximation is presented. The noninteracting reference state is time-reversal symmetric and formed from Kramers pair spinors, and the energy density is gradient corrected. Example calculations are presented for the optical properties of disubstituted halobenzenes in their meta and ortho conformations. It is demonstrated that correlation and relativistic effects are not additive, and it is shown that relativity alone reduces the mubeta-response signal by 62% and 75% for meta- and ortho-bromobenzene, respectively, and enhances the same response by 17% and 21% for meta- and ortho-iodobenzene, respectively. Of the employed functionals, CAM-B3LYP shows the best performance and gives hyperpolarizabilities beta distinctly different from B3LYP.

Alkynyl Expanded Donor–Acceptor Calixarenes: Geometry and Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties

A number of wide- and narrow-rimmed functionalized alkynylcalix[4]arenes have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. With respect to their optical properties, these donor-acceptor systems are treated as ensembles of covalently linked, electronically independent tolane subchromophores. Linear UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic investigations revealed that the charge-transfer character of the electronic transitions in calixarenes, and also the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties depend on the electron-withdrawing nature of the terminal ethynylphenyl substituent (NO(2), CF(3), H). The nitro derivatives display high values of the quadratic hyperpolarizability beta. Not only do the (nonlinear) optical properties of the target compounds depend on the number and relative disposition of the subchromophores, but also on the geometry of the calixarenes. In particular, the opening angle of the calixarene cavity can be determined by the substitution pattern of the calixarene scaffold (wide- versus narrow-rim substitution) and the number of the acetylene functions introduced. Both the NLO properties and the conformational issues are conveniently assessed by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) in solution, and supported by X-ray crystallography in the solid state.

Nonlinear Optical and Two-Photon Absorption Properties of Octupolar Tris(bipyridyl)metal Complexes

The linear (absorption and emission) and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a series of D(3) [(Fe(II), Ru(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)] octupolar metal complexes featuring the 4,4'-bis[(dibutylamino)styryl]-2,2'-bipyridine ligand are reported. Zinc(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes exhibit similar absorption spectra in the visible region (lambda(ILCT) = 474-476 nm) which are assigned to intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) bands. The quadratic and cubic NLO properties are strongly influenced by the nature of the metallic center. Harmonic light scattering studies at lambda = 1.91 microm reveal that these chromophores display large first hyperpolarizabilities beta(1.91) in the range of (211-340) x 10(-30) esu; replacing the Zn(II) metal ion by Ni(II) or Cu(II) results in a decrease of the static beta(0) coefficient by a factor of 1.5-1.6. Z-scan measurements at 765 and 965 nm reveal relatively large two-photon absorption cross-sections [650 < sigma(2) < 2200 GM], showing that both beta and sigma(2) values can be tuned by simple modification of the metal ion.

Effect of the Complexant Shape on the Large First Hyperpolarizability of Alkalides Li+(NH3)4M−

The effect of complexant shape effect on the first hyperpolarizability beta(0) of alkalides Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) (M=Li, Na, K) was explored. At the MP2/6-311++G level, Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) (M=Li, Na, K) have considerable beta(0) values due to excess electrons from chemical doping and charge transfer. By comparison with the alkalides Li(+)(calix[4]pyrrole)M(-), a complexant shape effect in Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) is detected. The beta(0) values of Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) with the "smaller", inorganic, T(d)-symmetric (NH(3))(4) complexant are more than four times larger than those of Li(+)(calix[4]pyrrole)M(-) with the "larger", organic C(4v)-symmetric calix[4]pyrrole complexant. The ratios of the beta(0) values of Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) and Li(+)(calix[4]pyrrole)M(-) are 6.57 (M=Li ), 6.55 (M=Na), and 5.17 (M=K). In the Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) systems, the NBO charge and oscillator strength are found to monotonically depend on the atomic number of the alkali metal anion. The order of the NBO charges of the alkali anions M(-) is -0.667 (M=Li )>-0.644 (M=Na)>-0.514 (M=K), while the order of the oscillator strengths in the crucial transition is 0.351 (M=Li )<0.360 (M=Na)<0.467 (M=K). This indicates that complexant shape effects are strong, and consequently the beta(0) values of Li(+)(NH(3))(4)M(-) are found to be beta(0)=70 295 (M=Li )<96 780 (M=Na)<185 805 a.u. (M=K). This work reveals that the use of a high-symmetry complexant is an important factor that should be taken into account when enhancing the first hyperpolarizability of alkalides by chemical doping.

Influence of Isomerization on Nonlinear Optical Properties of Molecules

The influence of rotational and geometrical isomerism on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, specifically the first-order hyperpolarizability beta, of chromophores of current interest has been investigated with density functional theory (DFT). In the first of this two-part study, the rotational isomerism of a linear chromophore was explored. Calculation of the torsion potentials about two of the rotatable and conformation-changing single bonds in a chromophore demonstrated the near equality of the molecular energies at 0 degrees and 180 degrees rotational angles. To explore the consequences of this near conformational energy degeneracy to NLO behavior, the eight low energy rotational isomers of FTC [Robinson, B. H.; et al. Chem. Phys. 1999, 245, 35] were investigated. This study provides the first-reported DFT-based calculation of the statistical mechanical average of beta over the conformational space of a molecule having substantial nonlinear optical behavior. The influence of the solvent reaction field on rotameric populations and on the beta tensor is reported. In the second part, two molecules having two donors and two acceptors bonded respectively in ortho and meta positions on a central benzene ring are shown to have substantially different beta tensors. These two so-called molecular Xs have different highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) distributions, and consistent with expectations, it is found that the larger beta(zzz) is associated with a large spatial asymmetry between the HOMOs and LUMOs. Large hyperpolarizability correlates with the HOMO concentrated on the donor groups and the LUMO on the acceptor groups.

Theoretical Analyses of the Effects on the Linear and Quadratic Nonlinear Optical Properties ofN-Arylation of Pyridinium Groups in Stilbazolium Dyes

N-Arylation of the pyridinium electron acceptor unit in stilbazolium chromophores has been found by previous experimental hyper-Rayleigh scattering and electronic Stark effect (electroabsorption) spectroscopic studies to lead to substantial increases in the static first hyperpolarizability beta(0). We show here that INDO/SCI calculations on the isolated cations trans-4'-(dimethylamino)-N-R-4-stilbazolium (R = methyl 1, phenyl 2, 2,4-dinitrophenyl 3, or 2-pyrimidyl 4) predict only slight red-shifts in the energy of the intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) transition and accompanying relatively small changes in beta(0) on moving along the series. The inclusion of acetonitrile solvent using a polarizable continuum model affords a somewhat better agreement with the experimental data, especially the red-shifting of the ICT transition and the increase in beta(0) on going from 1 to 4. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), finite field, and coupled perturbed Hartree-Fock calculations reproduce even more closely the empirical data and trends; the latter two approaches lead to the highest quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) response of the studied chromophores for 3, for which the predicted beta(0) is ca. 50-100% larger than that of the analogous N-methylated cation 1. Although the TD-DFT and INDO/SCI approaches give quite different results for ground- and excited-state dipole moments, the overall conclusions of these two methods regarding the ICT absorption and NLO responses are similar.

Second-harmonic generation of solvated molecules using multiconfigurational self-consistent-field quadratic response theory and the polarizable continuum model

We present the first implementation of the quadratic response function for multiconfigurational self-consistent-field wave functions of solvated molecules described by a polarizable continuum model employing a molecule-shaped cavity. We apply the methodology to the first hyperpolarizability beta and, in particular, the second-harmonic generation process for a series of conjugated push-pull oligomers, as well as for para-nitroaniline. The effect of solvation on the dispersion of the hyperpolarizability and the change in the hyperpolarizability for increasing chain length of the oligomers in vacuum and in solution is considered. The effect of a correlated description is analyzed by comparing the Hartree-Fock hyperpolarizabilities to the multiconfigurational self-consistent-field hyperpolarizabilities. The effect of geometry relaxation in the solvent on the properties of the solvated molecules are also investigated.

Theoretical studies on nonlinear optical properties of formaldehyde oligomers by ab initio and density functional theory methods

The first and second hyperpolarizability beta and gamma are obtained for formaldehyde oligomers (H2CO)n (n = 1-7) using computational methods. We have used the finite field (FF) approach and hyperpolarizability density analysis (HDA) to predict the microscopic first and second nonlinear hyperpolarizability of the formaldehyde oligomers. The spatial contributions of electrons to the hyperpolarizability by using plots of HDA are presented. It has been found from the numerical stability checking of the hyperpolarizability calculations that the calculated values by FF method are more stable than those by HDA approach. The values of beta are zero when n is even as the molecule possesses centrosymmetry, and when n is odd, the differences among beta values are not clear. The gamma values are increased with increase in n.

Systematic Study of the Structure−Property Relationship of a Series of Ferrocenyl Nonlinear Optical Chromophores

A series of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores 1-4 incorporating the ferrocenyl (Fc) group as an electron donor and 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4-methyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) derivatives as electron acceptors are presented. The use of a constant Fc donor and varied acceptors and bridges makes it possible to systematically determine the contribution of the conjugated bridge and the acceptor strength to chromophore nonlinear optical activity. The X-ray crystal structures of all four chromophores allow for the systematic investigation of the structure-property relationship for this class of molecules. For example, the crystal structures reveal that both cyclopentadienyl groups in the ferrocenyl donor contribute to the electron donating ability. The first-order hyperpolarizabilities beta of these chromophores, measured by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) relative to p-nitroaniline are reported. These beta values are compared to those calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental beta values demonstrates that a linear relation exists between the hyperpolarizability and the bond length alternation. An electrooptic coefficient, r(33), of approximately 25 pm/V at 1300 nm, for compound 4, incorporated into a polymer matrix, is competitive with organic chromophores. Moreover, this r(33) is more than 30 times larger than the previously reported value for an organometallic chromophore in a poled polymer matrix. This work not only underscores the potential for Fc donor moieties, which have been underutilized, but also demonstrates that experimental characterization and theoretical simulations are now congruent, viable methods for assessing potential performance of NLO materials.

Wavelength dependence of first molecular hyperpolarizability of a dendrimer in solution.

The frequency dependence of the first molecular hyperpolarizability of a dendrimer incorporated with thiophene-stilbene based charge-transfer chromophores is investigated by using a nanosecond 1907 nm laser and a number of wavelengths ranging from 1160 to 1760 nm emitted from an optical parametric amplifier pumped by a 1 kHz 130 fs Ti:sapphire laser. The measured hyperpolarizabilities are compared with those calculated from the charge-transfer absorption spectrum involving a Kramers-Kronig transformation scheme. The Kramers-Kronig transformation analysis provides a satisfactory account of the dispersion of the first molecular hyperpolarizability over the entire excitation wavelength range measured. The Kramers-Kronig technique extends the Oudar-Chemla two-level model previously proposed for the first molecular hyperpolarizability and it can be used in the nonresonance as well as the resonance region where the Oudar-Chemla model fails. The Kramers-Kronig transformation scheme allows a consistent intrinsic hyperpolarizability beta(0) to be obtained from the measured beta(HRS) using different excitation wavelengths for the dendrimer. The comparison of beta(0) for the dendrimer, which contains three chromophores, with that of corresponding monomer chromophore suggests that the chromophores inside the dendrimer are independent. This gives the evidence of the site isolation effect of the dendrimer and substantiates the larger macroscopic optical nonlinearity recently obtained for the dendrimer.

Contrasting linear and quadratic nonlinear optical behavior of dipolar pyridinium chromophores with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl or ruthenium(II) ammine electron donor groups.

In this article, we contrast the optical properties of dipolar chromophores having 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl electron donor (D) and pyridinium acceptor (A) groups with those of closely related cations having pyridyl-coordinated Ru(II) donors. A range of physical data, including that from Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopy, permits unprecedented quantitative comparisons, most notably regarding the effects of extension of bridging polyene chains. The purely organic compounds display normal optical properties in that their intense, visible pi --> pi intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) bands red-shift as the number of E-ethylene units (n) increases from 1 to 3 and the associated static first hyperpolarizabilities beta(0) increase steadily with n. The related Ru(II) complexes show intense, visible d --> pi metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands, which are found to lower energy when compared with the ICT transitions of the corresponding organics. Abnormally, these MLCT bands blue-shift as n increases, and beta(0) maximizes at n = 2. Time-dependent density-functional theory and finite field calculations verify these empirical trends for both types of compound, which can be rationalized as arising from the differing orbital structures of the chromophores and the associated degrees of D-A electronic coupling.

Syntheses and spectroscopic and quadratic nonlinear optical properties of extended dipolar complexes with ruthenium(II) ammine electron donor and N-methylpyridinium acceptor groups.

In this paper, we describe the extremely unusual optical properties of Ru(II)-based electron donor-acceptor (D-A) polyene and some closely related chromophores. For three different polyene series, the intense, visible d-->pi* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer bands unexpectedly blue-shift as the number of E-ethylene units (n) increases from 1 to 3, and the static first hyperpolarizabilities beta(0) determined via hyper-Rayleigh scattering and Stark spectroscopy maximize at n = 2, in marked contrast to other known D-A polyenes in which beta(0) increases steadily with n. Time-dependent density-functional theory and finite field calculations verify these empirical trends, which arise from the orbital structures of the complexes. This study illustrates that transition metal-based nonlinear optical chromophores can show very different behavior when compared with their more thoroughly studied purely organic counterparts.