Structure-activity relationship of new NLO organic materials based on push-pull azodyes 4. Side chain polymers

Several new polymeric materials containing push-pull azobenzene derivatives in the side chains were synthesized by polymer-analogous reactions involvi ng the coupling of the diazonium salts of 4-substituted anilines with a pre formed polymer, poly(N-methacryloyl-N'-phenylpiperazine). The second harmon ic generation properties of these glassy macromolecular materials were inve stigated in order to understand the influence of the chromophore chemical s tructure on dipole orientability and stability of orientation. The results thus obtained were compared with those of analogous guest-host systems and a lack of chromophore mobility was highlighted for the side chain polymers. The use of a short flexible spacer should probably improve the NLO perform ance. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.