Modulation of (non)linear optical properties in tripodal molecules by variation of the peripheral cyano acceptor moieties and the π-spacer

A series of twelve tripodal push-pull molecules with a central triphenylamine donor and peripheral cyano substituted acceptors has been prepared. These molecules possess systematically altered π-linkers as well as cyano acceptors. Based on the experimental properties measured by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, one and two photon absorption/emission spectroscopy, supported by the DFT calculations, thorough structure–property relationships were elucidated.