Second-order nonlinear optical materials with a benzene-like conjugated π system

Second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that can alter the wavelength of lasers have attracted significant attention for their optoelectronic applications. Recent research suggests that benzene-like structure units, such as [B3O6] and [C3N3O3] rings, are promising building units to construct new NLO materials with excellent optical properties. In this feature article, we will introduce the recent development of benzene-like ring based NLO materials with a highlight of our contributions, illustrating how to optimize the conjugated pi system, including arrangement modes, different linkers, and isoelectronic species, to tune the band gap and NLO properties.