PHOSPHINE OXIDES AS NOVEL ACCEPTOR GROUPS IN MOLECULES PRESENTING NONLINEAR-OPTICAL PROPERTIES

In search for molecules possessing high hyperpolarizabilities, beta, the diphenylphosphine oxide group is used as a novel acceptor. Three phosphorus model compounds were synthesized and their non-linear optical (NLO) properties investigated. The results obtained from EFISH measurements are complemented by semi-empirical calculations performed with the AM1 hamiltonian method taking account of the angle, theta, between the dipole moment, mu, and the vector part of the tenser, beta, Their high non-linear efficiencies [beta(x)(0) = 38-63 x10(-30) esu] make these compounds interesting for their potential use as NLO materials.