Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
1,4-Distyrylbenzenes with terminal dialkylamino groups and a central 2,5-disubstitution with electron-accepting groups were prepared via twofold Horner-olefination. These chromophores with a quadrupolar donor-acceptor-donor substitution and C2-symmetry absorb in the violet to green region of the visible spectrum exhibit large two-photon-absorption cross-sections when irrdiated in the NIR. Whereas a variation of the solvent polarity only slightly alters the absorption spectra, the fluorescence appears to be highly responsive. Besides a positive solvatochromism, the emission is very sensitive towards protonation. Quenching or appearance of new emitting species depends on the substitution pattern and is controlled by the concentration of the acid.