Janus NLO dendrimers with different peripheral functional groups: convenient synthesis and enhanced NLO performance with the aid of the Ar–ArF self-assembly

Abstract

In this work, three dendrimers with different peripheral functional groups were successfully prepared through a powerful “click chemistry” reaction. Thanks to their spherical topological structure, the NLO performance is superior to that of the corresponding conical dendrimers. Among them, Janus dendrimer J1 with phenyl and pentafluorophenyl groups at the periphery demonstrated the highest NLO effect of 118.0 pm V⁻¹. Also, thanks to the Ar–Ar^F self-assembly effect, its optical transparency and thermal stability were also improved, with degradation temperatures higher than 260 °C.