Push-pull dyes based on Michler's aldehyde: Design and characterization of the optical and electrochemical properties

Fifteen dyes based on Michler's aldehyde used as the electron donating group and differing by the electron accepting groups have been designed and synthesized. Interestingly, all dyes showed a broad absorption extending over the visible range. Examination of the solvatochromism in twenty-three solvents of different polarities revealed these dyes to give remarkable linear correlations using the Kamlet-Taft solvent polarity scale or the SPP Catalan empirical scales. The different dyes were also characterized by photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. To get a deeper insight into the optical properties of the different dyes, theoretical calculations were also carried out.