Lanthanide Complexes for Second Order Nonlinear Optics: Evidence for the Direct Contribution of f Electrons to the Quadratic Hyperpolarizability

This study descibes for the first time the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of multipolar lanthanide complexes, Na3[Ln(dipic)3]. The “metal-induced” NLO activity enhancement is confirmed as a general property of f-block elements, and the direct participation of f electrons to the hyperpolarizability β is strongly supported by experimental data.