The synthesis and properties of novel, functional azobenzene based metal complexes

Azobenzene-containing metal complexes with different carbon chain lengths connecting the azobenzene moiety and the diamine ZnCl2 unit were characterized using spectrophotometric methods as well as thermal and X-ray diffractometric analysis. The length of the chain between the azobenzene moiety and the diamine metal complex influences both the thermal and fluorescent behaviour of the bi-functional compounds. Combining the azobenzene chromophore with the metal complex results in remarkably high azobenzene isomerization as well as two-band fluorescence emission centered at 290 and 560 nm respectively, imparted by the metal complex component. A holographic image inscription and readout experiment of one of the metal complexes in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix is described.