Comparative nonlinear optics and optical limiting properties of metallophthalocyanines

[Display omitted] •Synthesis of new metallophthalocyanines.•Synthesis of new silicon phthalocyanine.•Nonlinear optical properties of phthalocyanines. In this study, peripherally tetra-{2-[[4-((E)-{[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]imino}methyl)phenyl](methyl)amino]ethoxy} substituted cobalt(II), manganese(III), copper(II) phthalocyanines 2a-2c and axially di-{2-[[4-((E)-{[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]imino}methyl)phenyl](methyl)amino]ethoxy} substituted silicon phthalocyanine 3 were synthesized for the first time. These compounds were characterized by standard spectroscopy methods. Their nonlinear optical properties are evaluated with the help of z-scan technique. Both open and closed aperture configurations show clear z-scan signal in the four samples. The refractive nonlinear index n2 is found to be ranging between −4.9 and −28.1 × 10−8 cm2/W, and the nonlinear absorptive coefficient varied between 0.2 and 5.4 × 10−3 cm/W. The optical limiting measurements showed low threshold levels, 645 W/cm2 in 2c and 680 W/cm2 in 2a in full agreement with Z-scan measurements.