Synthesis of hydroxyalkyl-substituted, push-pull chromophores based on diphenylacetylenes and 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzenes

Six new push-pull chromophores based on phenylacetylenes were prepared: two 1,2-diphenylacetylenes and four 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzenes. The donor amino groups have hydroxyethyl substituents, and the acceptor groups are cyano or nitro. More soluble versions were made by including two methoxy groups on the central phenyl ring.