Hyperpolarizabilities of tolanes and pyridyl analogues

The nonlinear optical properties of 15 donor-acceptor diphenylacetylenes (tolanes) and three pyridyl analogues have been measured by the EFISH technique. The results are compared with those for other tolanes measured in other laboratories. The relative abilities of donor and acceptor groups to influence molecular hyperpolarizabilities is discussed, as is the trade-off between nonlinearity and transparency and the utility of this class of molecules in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices.