The Synthesis of Diphenylpolenes and PPV-Oligomers Incorporating Diphenylphosphino Donor Groups

ABSTRACTPrevious studies of the second and third order nonlinear optical properties of organic molecules have shown enhancement of the nonlinear response when second row elements replace first row elements (e. g. S for O) in electron donating groups. Various substituted amino functionalities have been utilized extensively as strong donors in the design of molecules for both second and third order NLO applications. However, to date, no research groups have reported a systematic study of the effect of replacing N (nitrogen) by P (phosphorus) in various chromophore functionalities. We have now synthesized a series of bis(diphenylphosphio)diphenylpolyenes with up to five double bonds, a bis-(diphenylphosphino)-PPV dimer, and a diphenylphosphino DANS equivalent. The absorption characteristics compared to the N equivalents, and the implications for photonics applications will be discussed.