Synthesis and two-photon absorption properties of 9,10-bis(arylethynyl)anthracene derivatives

A series of 9,10-bis(arylethynyl)anthracene derivatives (1-8) have been synthesized and their two-photon absorption (TPA) cross sections were measured by nanosecond fluorescence measurement and femtosecond Z-scan methods. The lambda(max) values of these molecules are very similar and the lambda(max)((2)) values are near 800 nm. The delta(max)(ns)/MW of the dipole increases with the conjugation length, whereas those for the quadrupoles decrease slightly with MW. Also, the delta(max)(ns)/MW of the octupole is smaller than the dipole. In all cases, delta(max)(ns)/MW of the quadrupoles are larger than the dipoles. Moreover, the results of the femtosecond Z-scan experiment indicate significant contribution by the excited-state absorption in delta(max)(ns). Noteworthy is the good agreement between the structure-TPA property relationships determined by both methods.