Synthesis and non-linear optical properties of substituted styrylpyridinium–MPS3intercalation compounds (M = Mn, Cd)

Abstract
New intercalation compounds, M1–xPS3(G)2x(H2O)y(M = Mn, Cd) have been synthesized, where G denotes the 4-[4-(dimethylamino)-α-styryl]-1-methylpyridinium cationic chromophore. The non-linear optical properties of these materials were studied by the Kurtz powder technique. Second-harmonic generation has been evidenced, with an efficiency comparable to that of urea. This preliminary result shows that MPS3 layered host lattices can be envisaged for achieving spontaneous poling of cationic chromophores.