Second Hyperpolarizability of Ethynyl-Linked Azobenzene Molecular Wires

Azobenzenes and catalysis

Azobenzene is the most extensively used class of chromophore in a large variety of applications.

Modulation of the optical properties of D-π-A type azobenzene derivatives by changing the π-conjugated backbones: A theoretical study

The optical properties of two series of azobenzene derivatives were modulated by backbone modifications with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compared to the short-chain molecule, the chromophore with an elongated π-bridge exhibits a greater extent of charge transfer during one-photon excitation and hence possesses a larger molecular first hyperpolarizability (β0). Meanwhile, an evident red-shift in the maximum absorption was observed after extension of the π-conjugated backbone. The tendency of the static β0 value derived from the two-state model is consistent with the result of the calculation at M06-2X/6–311++G(d,p) level by means of analytical derivative method. The dynamic perturbations were revealed to cause the obvious enhancement of the first hyperpolarizability. The more closer the foundational wavelength to two times the value of the maximum absorption in one-photon transition, the larger βRHS value is observed for the chromophore. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties augment with the introduction of the THF solvents by comparing the gas-phase values. With increasing the length of conjugated bridge, the dynamic βRHS value increases more rapidly in THF solution than in vacuum.

Multiphotochromic molecular systems

We review molecular compounds encompassing several photochromic units with a focus on their functionalities.

THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION ON PHOTOISOMERIZATION SWITCHABLE SECOND-ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF Λ-SHAPED DIARYLETHENE DERIVATIVES

The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Λ-shaped diarylethene (DAE) derivatives 1a(b)–4a(b) and their NLO switching effects were studied by using the density functional theory (DFT) methods. The results demonstrate that all of the open-ring molecules and their own closed-ring forms meet the model of NLO switching tuned by photoisomerization. The βtot values of 1b–3b are 16 times as small as that of their open-ring forms, and βtot value of 4b is 4 times as large as that of 4a. The spin interactions of open-shell closed-ring molecules are larger than that of their open-ring forms, and it could increase the NLO responses to some degree. Nature bond orbital (NBO) calculations indicate that large charge differences between electron-deficient and electron-rich centers are beneficial to charge transfer (CT), and the overlap between frontier molecular orbital (FMO) is also advantageous to the CT and NLO responses. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations show βtot values of all molecules meet the two-level model very well, and the smaller the ΔE ge , the larger the βtot value.

Photochemical properties of multi-azobenzene compounds

A systematic study is reported of the photochemical properties of the multi-azobenzene compounds bis[4-(phenylazo)phenyl]amine (BPAPA) and tris[4-(phenylazo)phenyl]amine (TPAPA) compared to the parent molecule 4-aminoazobenzene (AAB). The bis- and tris-azobenzenes were synthesised by a variant of the Ullmann reaction and exist in their stable all-E forms at room temperature. Striking changes in the spectral positions and intensities of their first ππ* absorption bands compared to AAB reveal strong electronic coupling between the AB units. The nature of the excited states was explored by quantum chemical calculations at the approximate coupled-cluster (CC2) level. Upon UV/VIS irradiation, the molecules isomerise to the Z-isomer (AAB), ZE- and ZZ-isomers (BPAPA), and ZEE-, ZZE- and ZZZ-isomers (TPAPA), respectively. The photoswitching behaviours were investigated by UV/VIS and NMR spectroscopies. All individual isomers were detected by one-dimensional (1D) (1)H NMR spectroscopy (BPAPA) and two-dimensional (2D) HSQC NMR spectroscopy (TPAPA). A kinetic analysis provided the isomer-specific thermal lifetimes. The variance of the thermal lifetimes demonstrates a dependence of the Z-E isomerisation on the chromophore size and number of AB units.