We report on the third order nonlinearities of a bis-iminopyridine-tetrathiafulvalene appended ligand and of its corresponding zinc metal complex. The measurements have been carried out using the Z-scan technique employing 30 ps, 532 nm laser excitation. The nonlinear optical response of the zinc complex has been found to be significantly enhanced with respect to the ligand. We illustrate the possibility to control the nonlinear optical response of this electroactive bisiminopyridine ligand. Moreover the obtained results are discussed and compared with previous findings reported in the literature.

Abstract:The condensation reaction of (4-(6,7-dimethyldithio-tetrathiafulvalene)-aniline) with 2,6-diformylpyridine afforded an electroactive Schiff base (N,N,N) pincer (3). This pincer was reacted with Zn(II) cation to yield the corresponding Zinc chloride complex (4). The crystal structure of the newly prepared electroactive zinc complex reveals that the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) is neutral and the zinc cation is pentacoordinated. The two chlorines are involved in a set of hydrogen bonds giving rise to a 2D supramolecular grid arrangement. The electronic absorption properties and the electrochemical behavior have been elucidated. These two compounds are promising for the construction of crystalline radical cation salts.