Linear polymers for nonlinear optics. I. Polyacrylates bearing aminonitro‐stilbene and ‐azobenzene dyes

Three acrylic monomers bearing 4′‐dialkylamino‐4‐nitro‐stilbene and ‐azobenzene dyes have been synthesized. The monomeric dyes were homopolymerized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate using a free radical initiator to produce polymers useful for nonlinear optics. Comparison of the solubility and molecular weight distribution data between stilbene‐ and azobenzene‐containing polymers indicated that some crosslinking occurred during polymerization with the stilbene monomers, presumably through the internal double bond in the dye. The dye‐containing homopolymers exhibit liquid crystallinity. Some interaction among the pendant dyes was detected by visible spectroscopy.