Chromophores for polymeric thin films and optical waveguides and devices comprising the same

A compound having Formula II

• wherein:
• K is O or S;
• D is an electron donating group;
• A is an electron accepting group;
• R1 is —Q—CnH2n+1, —Q—(CH2)aCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CnF2n+1, —Q—CH2SCH2CCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CF3, or —Q—CH2SCH2CF3, where n is 1-10, a is 0-10, and Q is absent, O or S;
• and
• q is 1,2, or 3.

A compound having Formula III

• wherein:
• J is CH2, O or S;
• D is an electron donating group;
• A is an electron accepting group;
• and
• R1 is —Q—CnH2n+1, —Q—(CH2)aCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CnF2n+1, —Q—CH2SCH2CCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CF3, or —Q—CH2SCH2CF3, where n is 1-10, a is 0-10, and Q is absent, O or S.

A compound having Formula IV

• wherein:
• D is an electron donating group;
• K is O or S;
• R1 is —Q—CnH2n+1, —Q—(CH2)aCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CnF2n+1, —Q—CH2SCH2CCnF12n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CF3, or —Q—CH2SCH2CF3, where n is 1-10, a is 0-10, and Q is absent, O or S;
• q is 1, 2, or 3;
• and
• R2 and R3 each, independently, are selected from the group consisting of H, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C10 alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C10 alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl, and (CH2)n—O—(CH2)n where n is 1-10;
• or
• R2 and R3 together form a ring structure or a substituted ring structure.

A compound having Formula V

• wherein:
• D is an electron donating group;
• J is CH2, O or S;
• R1 is —Q—CnH2n+1, —Q—(CH2)aCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2
• OCH2CnF2n+1, —Q—CH2SCH2CCnF2n+1, —Q—CH2OCH2CF3, or —Q—CH2SCH2CF3, where n is 1-10, a is 0-10, and Q is absent, O or S;
• and
• R2 and R3 each, independently, are selected from the group consisting of H, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C10 alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C10 alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylaryl, substituted or unsubstituted carbocycle, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl, and (CH2)n—O—(CH2)n where n is 1-10;
• or
• R2 and R3 together form a ring structure or a substituted ring structure.

A method of preparing an electron withdrawing group comprising the steps:

• (a) providing an alkylvinylether;
• (b) contacting said alkylvinylether with a strong base to form a first intermediate compound;
• (c) contacting said first intermediate compound with a ketone to form a second intermediate compound;
• and
• (d) reacting said second intermediate compound with dicyanomethane in the presence of a second base to form said electron withdrawing group.