Controlling the Growth of Molecular Crystal Aggregates with Distinct Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Two novel donor-acceptor molecules, 2,7-diphenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,3-b']difuran-4,5-dicarbonitrile and 2,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b']difuran-4,5-dicarbonitrile containing cyano group as the electron acceptor, were synthesized. Their single-crystal structures, molecular packing, and self-assembly behaviors were also investigated. By simple solvent evaporation techniques, these compounds self-assemble into various low-dimensional microstructures that demonstrate distinctive nonlinear optical properties depending on the orientations of their transition dipoles. This study highlights the importance of the transition dipole moment in the construction of low-dimensional molecular materials with highly efficient nonlinear optical properties.