What is it about?
Non-linear optical (NLO) chromophores are molecules which have the ability to redirect or absorb light in a switchable fashion as is common in telecommunications applications, e.g., the internet. The specific class of chromophores here incorporate usually unstable (pseudo-)antiaromatic components. But the origin of instability is also reflected in a high flexibility of the electrons which give rise to the NLO effects.
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Why is it important?
It is trivial to increase hyperpolarizability by increasing the $pi$-system, but the actually relevant performance characteristic are either the bulk response or the performance per volume. Stabilized anti-aromatic $pi$-systems and related compounds show exceptional behavior due to their unconventional electron conjugation. In order to find truly novel compounds and in order to extend operational windows new paths must be tread.
Perspectives
Innovation in chemistry requires chemical diversity, not just for NLO chromophores, but for all chemical applications. Not to sampling chemical space widely introduces bias and limits what can be achieved. Chemists need to challenge themselves to tackle problems that seem difficult. Anti-aromatic compounds are one such area where conventional wisdom advises against them. But as this study shows they can show extreme behaviors and are stable compounds when appropriately substituted, which makes these cores highly interesting targets.
Dr Berend C Rinderspacher
US ARL
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Electro-optic and spectroscopic properties of push–pull-chromophores with non-aromatic π-bridges, Chemical Physics Letters, October 2013, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2013.08.082.
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