Solvent effect on the nonlinear absorption of 5,10-A(2)B(2) meso substituted porphyrins.

The effect of the solvent on the nonlinear absorptive properties of two series of 5,10-A2B2 porphyrins was investigated with an open Z-scan technique in the ns time regime. The recorded responses, which varied between compounds and solvents, were fitted to a four-level model where the one-photon excited state absorption is followed by a two-photon process arising from the higher excited states. For most of the compounds the positive nonlinear absorption in toluene was stronger than that in DMF and chloroform.