Synthesis, characterization, Langmuir–Blodgett film deposition and non-linear optical properties of a series of new non-linear optical materials based on azo dyes containing europium complex anions

Several kinds of lanthanide complex containing a new azo dye chromophore, Me2NC6H4, NNC5H4NC18H37(EuA3A′), where A and A′ are β-diketones, have been designed and synthesized. Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films of these compounds have been prepared. Most of them show both strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) and a high collapse pressure. The second-order molecular hyperpolarizabilities are evaluated to be ca.(1–2.5)× 10–27 esu.