Organometallic Complexes for Non-Linear Optics. XXVI. Quadratic Hyperpolarizabilities of Some 4-Methoxytetrafluorophenylalkynyl Gold and Ruthenium Complexes

Abstract

The complexes [Au(4-CÅ≡CC₆F₄OMe)(L)] [L = PMe₃ (1), PPh₃ (2)],trans-[Ru(4-C=CHC₆F₄OMe)Cl(dppm)₂]PF₆(3) and trans-[Ru(4-CÅ≡CC₆F₄OMe)Cl(dppm)₂](4) have been prepared and the identity of (2) was confirmed by a structural study. Electrochemical data for (3) and (4) suggest that the 4-C₆F₄OMe group lies midway between Ph and 4-C₆H₄NO₂in electron-withdrawing strength. Quadratic non-linearities at 1064 nm, determined by the hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique, increase for co-ligand variation, in the order PPh₃ < PMe₃, in proceeding from (2) to (1), whereas data for the vinylidene/alkynyl complexes (3) and (4) are experimentally indistinguishable. The quadratic non-linear optical data for (1) and (2) are comparable to those of their 4-nitrophenylalkynyl analogues, however, (1) and (2) are more optically transparent.