The synthesis and linear and non-linear optical properties of a suite of chromophores containing imine linkers between the donor and acceptor are described. The synthetic methodology allows for the smooth condensation of the precursor molecule N,N-dimethyl-p-introsoaniline with a variety of acceptors to afford the target chromophores in yields ranging from 52% to 85%. These molecules yield static first hyperpolarisability values, beta((0)), of between 115 and 255 x 10(-30) esu. As expected these values are influenced by both the strength of the acceptor unit as well as the likelihood of out of plane twisting within the chromophores. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
