A series of asymmetric and symmetric porphyrin derivatives: one-pot synthesis, nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties

In this work, a series of asymmetric and symmetric porphyrin derivatives (structure types: A(4), A(3)B(1), trans-A(2)B(2), cis-A(2)B(2), A(1)B(3), and B-4) have been synthesized via a one-pot method and characterized by TLC, HPLC, FT-IR, H-1-NMR and UV-Vis to identify their structures and properties. The porphyrin derivatives with trans-A(2)B(2) and cis-A(2)B(2) structures are visually distinguished via single-crystal X-ray diffraction; the crystal morphology of trans-A(2)B(2) is a needle-like structure. All porphyrin derivatives (I-VI) have excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) and optical limiting (OL) properties, and are investigated using the standard Z-scan technique. Porphyrin derivative III exhibits the maximum nonlinear absorption, nonlinear refraction coefficients and optical limitation threshold, and the values are 3.7 x 10(-9) m W-1, -17 x 10(-17) m(2) W-1 and 0.11 J cm(-2), respectively. The results demonstrate that the introduction of different substituent numbers (mono-, di- and tri-, tetra-) and substituent sites (trans-A(2)B(2) and cis-A(2)B(2)) in the porphyrins could influence the NLO and OL properties. Structure regulation of porphyrin can lead to the adjustment of NLO and OL properties, and affect its practical NLO application in the future.

Automated summary

A series of asymmetric and symmetric porphyrin derivatives were synthesized using a one-pot method and characterized to determine their structures and properties. The derivatives showed excellent nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties, with different substituents influencing these properties. Structure regulation of porphyrin could lead to adjustments in these properties for potential future NLO applications.