Strong two-photon absorption and ultrafast dynamics of meso-functionalized push-pull trans-A2BC porphyrins

A new series of push-pull meso-substituted trans-A(2)BC porphyrins, where A = mesityl, B = phenothiazine (push) and C = o/p-nitrophenyl moiety (pull) and M = 2H, Ni(ii), Cu(ii), and Zn(ii), were synthesized. These trans-A(2)BC porphyrins were characterized by various techniques viz. UV-Vis, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and density functional theory (DFT) studies. The single crystal structure of the newly synthesized free base trans-H(2)A(2)BC porphyrin (2) revealed the orientation of meso-substituents and the planar conformation of the porphyrin core. All newly synthesized free base trans-H(2)A(2)BC porphyrins (1 or 2) and their metal complexes exhibited a sharp Soret band. The first reduction potential of all synthesized trans-MA(2)BC porphyrins showed an anodic shift as compared with that of meso-tetraphenylporphyrins (MTPPs) due to the strong electron withdrawing nature of the nitrophenyl group. In general, the first oxidation potential of trans-MA(2)BC porphyrins shows a cathodic shift due to the electron donating phenothiazine moiety as compared to that of MTPPs. p-Nitrophenyl appended trans-A(2)BC porphyrins exhibited large ground state dipole moment values (8.59-9.64 D) as compared to MTPPs (0.0013-0.052 D) owing to the polarized push-pull effect of meso-substituents such as phenothiazine (push) and nitrophenyl (pull) moieties. Femtosecond nonlinear optical (NLO) studies performed with kHz pulses at 800 nm revealed strong two-photon absorption coefficients (similar to 0.082-0.0953 cm GW(-1)) and cross-sections (similar to 1.71-1.95 x 10(3) GM) for these push-pull porphyrins. We have also attempted to understand the NLO coefficients in terms of the structural changes in these porphyrin derivatives. A comparison that has been accomplished with similar porphyrin molecules and under similar experimental conditions revealed the superior performance of the title molecules. Furthermore, femtosecond transient absorption studies demonstrated several ultrafast processes from various excited states in these porphyrins, useful for identifying the processes relevant to optical switching applications.

Automated summary

A series of new push-pull meso-substituted trans-A(2)BC porphyrins have been synthesized and characterized using various techniques, showing excellent nonlinear optical properties suitable for optical switching applications, particularly due to the polarized push-pull effect of the nitrophenyl-substituted porphyrins.