Group 8 metal alkynyl complexes for nonlinear optics

• Group 8 metal alkynyl complexes can be engineered to possess large nonlinearities.
• Dipolar metal alkynyl complexes are very efficient quadratic NLO materials.
• Multipolar assemblies have demonstrable potential with specific cubic NLO properties.
• Switching of NLO properties at the molecular level has been demonstrated.

Studies of the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Group 8 metal alkynyl complexes are summarized, with particular focus on results since 2003; structure–NLO property relationships are developed, optical nonlinearities of multipolar alkynyl complexes are described, and switching of the NLO response of molecules and molecular materials derived from Group 8 metal alkynyl complexes is discussed.

Recent developments in exploring the utility of metal alkynyls in nonlinear optics are discussed, including their promising behaviour as molecular NLO switches.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide