Two‐Photon Absorption Enhancement by the Inclusion of a Tropone Ring in Distorted Nanographene Ribbons

Abstract

Abstract A new family of distorted ribbon‐shaped nanographenes was designed, synthesized, and their optical and electrochemical properties were evaluated, pointing out an unprecedented correlation between their structural characteristics and the two‐photon absorption (TPA) responses and electrochemical band gaps. Three nanographene ribbons have been prepared: a seven‐membered‐ring‐containing nanographene presenting a tropone moiety at the edge, its full‐carbon analogue, and a purely hexagonal one. We have found that the TPA cross‐sections and the electrochemical band gaps of the seven‐membered‐ring‐containing compounds are higher and lower, respectively, than those of the fully hexagonal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Interestingly, the inclusion of additional curvature has a positive effect in terms of non‐linear optical properties of those ribbons.