Synthesis and optical properties of two 2,2′: 6′,2-Terpyridyl-based two-photon initiators

Two donor-pi-acceptor (D-pi-A) type 2,2': 6',2-terpyridyl -based organic heterocyclic molecules have been efficiently synthesized via solvent-free Wittig reactions in good yields. One crystal structure of them was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction determination. The two compounds exhibit sensitive single-photon-excited fluorescence (SPEF) emission with high fluorescence quantum yields and long lifetimes. The two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF), two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections and two-photon initiation polymerization (TPIP) microfabrication experiments have been investigated. Experimental results confirm that they are effective organic two-photon photopolymerization initiators. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.