Two-photon absorption properties of hexa-substituted benzene derivatives. Comparison between dipolar and octupolar molecules.

Hexa-substituted benzene derivatives show larger two-photon cross sections than the corresponding dipolar counterparts and the largest values of delta(max) = 2000 GM and delta(max)/MW = 2.25 GM g(-1) have been obtained with a compound having C[triple bond]C and C=C bonds in the conjugation bridge.