| abstract |
Nonlinear optical (NLO) compositions are disclosed which contain polar disulfone-functionalized molecules (PDFMs), wherein the polar disulfone-functionalized molecules are of formula (I), where n is 0, 1 or 2; R?1 and R2¿ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group of about 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or taken together in conjunction with the catenary carbon atoms therebetween form a 5 or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, when n is 2, R?1 and R2, R1 and R1, or R2 and R2¿, in conjunction with the catenary carbon atoms therebetween, may form the 5 or 6-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R1f and R2f each independently represent fluorine, a saturated fluorinated alkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or taken together in conjunction with the disulfone group form a 5, 6 or 7-membered ring containing 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, respectively, that are fluorinated; and Z represents an aryl group substituted with an electron donating group, an activated aromatic heterocyclic group, a group derived from a dye base, or a group derived from a dye olefin, incorporated in a polymeric material. When aligned noncentrosymmetrically in the polymeric material, the PDFMs generate a second-order NLO response. There is also disclosed: a method of preparing an NLO composition; novel PDFMs and novel polymers; and a new process for preparing PDFMs. |