Acyclic donor-acceptor-donor chromophores for large enhancement of two-photon absorption cross-section in the presence of Mg(II), Ca(II) or Zn(II) ions

Two new chromophores in the format, donor-acceptor-donor, have been synthesized in high yields from easily available starting materials. These compounds do not show any two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section in the wavelength range, 780-900 nm when probed by the Z-scan technique with a femtosecond laser. However, in presence of Zn(II), Ca(II) or Mg(II) ion, each compound gives exceptionally large TPA cross-section in the same wavelength range.