Synthesis and characterization of novel AZO chromophore with multi hydroxyl groups

Novel organic second order nonlinear optical chromophore with 4,4'-(5-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy)dibutan-1-ol as electron donor and azo thiophene as pi-electronic bridge was synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR spectra and mass spectra. After the introduction of four hydroxyl groups to the electron donor, the solubility of chromophore Z1 in water was improved greatly (0.5 g). Else, the solubility of chromophore Z1 in common organic solvents was still very good. The thermal decomposition temperature was above 250 degrees C, which was high enough for its application in both the preparation of optoelectronic devices and Second harmonic generation imaging. Electro-optical films prepared by chromophore Z1 showed us the largest second-order nonlinear optical coefficient was about 85 pm/V, which was large enough for the detection of second harmonic generation signal in water solution. Else, the photochemical stability of chromophore Z1 was also studied; the advantage of chromophore with azo bond was very obvious for improving the photochemical stability of organic second order nonlinear optical chromophores.