Nonlinear optical properties of symmetrical and asymmetrical porphyrin derivatives with click chemistry modification

•The porphyrin complexes with symmetrical and asymmetrical side groups was synthesized.•The special nonlinear optical properties were exhibited at 532 nm laser.•The optical-limiting performance had also been studied.

The novel kind of charge-transfer porphyrin complexes with symmetrical and asymmetrical side groups were synthesized by the high-yielding [2 + 2] click chemistry reaction involved a two-step procedure. Both electrochemical and UV–vis studies were characterized and proved that the side groups of the porphyrin complexes played an important role on optical properties and energy gaps. The novel series did show the narrower band gap and broader absorption in the visible and near infrared region. As the side groups, the click moieties also affected the third-order nonlinear optical responses, and all the compounds exhibited the expected nonlinear optical properties which were affected by the chemical structures. The optical-limiting performance had also been studied, which was in agreement with the result of Z-scan experiments.