Optical properties of donor-π-(acceptor)n merocyanine dyes with dicyanovinylindane as acceptor group and triphenylamine as donor unit

Donor-pi-(Acceptor)(n) (D-pi-A) type dyes were synthesized and their absorption and emission spectra investigated in different solvents. Strong acceptor units imparted large red-shifts in absorption; the twisting of the dye's structure imposed by an acceptor unit quenched fluorescence. Electron delocalization before and after excitation was observed according to molecular orbital calculations. The results indicated potential use of the dyes as electro-optical materials. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.