Sequential multiphoton absorption enhancement induced by zinc complexation in functionalized distyrylbenzene analogs

Abstract

Functionalized distyrylbenzene analogs 2 and 3, bearing a tris-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based receptor for Zn²⁺, were synthesized by a Horner–Emmons–Wittig coupling reaction. It has been found that Zn²⁺ complexation induces changes in the linear absorption spectrum that enhance a nonlinear sequential two-photon absorption of nanosecond pulses at 532 nm. This absorption was also found to depend on the nature of the substituent at the side benzene ring of the styrylbenzene structure.