Incorporation of a ferrocene unit in the π-conjugated structure of donor-linker-acceptor (D-π-A) chromophores for nonlinear optics (NLO)

In this paper we describe the synthesis, the electrochemical behaviour as well as the linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of two push-pull derivatives bearing pyranylidene electron donating fragment, pyrimidine/methyl pyrimidinium electron withdrawing moiety and a ferrocene part in the π-conjugated bridge. The properties of these two compounds were compared to their analogues without ferrocene or pyranylidene fragments. Experimental results were completed with DFT calculations to gain further insight into the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). All the results indicate a significant charge transfer through the ferrocene unit. The ICT is however more limited than in all organic analogues.