The present disclosure concerns the design, formulations, preparations and optical properties of compounds of Formulas (I) and (VI):

(charged dye.sup.m+).sub.x.Math.(counterion.sup.n−).sub.y.Math.(counterion receptor).sub.z  (I) and

(charged dye.sup.m−).sub.x.Math.(counterion.sup.n+)y.Math.(counterion receptor).sub.z  (VI).

The charged dye.sup.m+ is a cationic dye, counterion.sup.n− is an anion, and counterion receptor is a binding ligand for the counterion.sup.n−, wherein m, n, x and y are integers greater than or equal to 1, and products of x.Math.n and m.Math.y are identical for formula (I).

The charged dye.sup.m− is a anionic dye, counterion.sup.n+ is a cation, and counterion receptor is a binding ligand for the counterion.sup.n+, wherein m, n, x and y are integers greater than or equal to 1, and products of x.Math.n and m.Math.y are identical for formula (VI).

Cyanine dyes with improved fluorescence intensity and photostability.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

A curable composition includes: a near infrared absorbing compound that includes a cation having an absorption in a near infrared range and an anion; a salt of an anion that is a component other than the near infrared absorbing compound and has a conjugate acid pKa of −8 or lower; and a curable compound.

Disclosed is a novel compound represented by formula (1) below. In the formula, A represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring or aromatic heterocyclic group, B represents a group including a chain of one to four pieces of one or more groups selected from groups represented by specific formulae (B-1) to (B-13) (such as —C═C— or —N═N—, specifically see the description), R1 to R3 each represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon or hydrocarbonoxy group, at least one of R1 to R3 represents an optionally substituted hydrocarbonoxy group, R4 and R5 each represent an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, R4 and R5 may be linked together to form a ring, and R4 and R5 may be each independently linked with A to form a ring ##STR00001##

Nonlinear optical chromophores having one or more diamondoid groups covalently attached to the chromophore, methods of making nonlinear optical chromophores, their use in thin films and electro-optical devices containing such nonlinear optical chromophores and thin films comprising the same.

An active material for organic image sensors, where the active material is a squaraine-based active material or a thiophene-based active material. A photoelectric conversion layer containing the active material, which is a squaraine-based active material or a thiophene-based active material. An organic image sensor containing the photoelectric conversion layer containing the active material.

Voltage sensitive dyes comprising boron and related compositions and methods are provided. In some embodiments, a voltage sensitive dye comprises an electron acceptor comprising boron. The electron acceptor may be attached (e.g., covalently) to at least one electron donating group and at least one polar group. For instance, the electron acceptor may comprise optionally substituted boron dipyrromethene (e.g., optionally substituted 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene). The point of attachment and chemical nature of the electron donating group(s) and polar group(s) may be selected to impart beneficial properties to the voltage sensitive dye. For instance, the voltage sensitive dye may have an extended difference in the dipole moment between the ground and electronic states due at least in part to the position of the electron donating group(s). The voltage sensitive dyes, described herein, may have high specificity, high signal to noise ratio, fast responsivity, high voltage sensitivity, high photostability, and/or high brightness.

A composition for a near-infrared light-absorbing film includes a binder and compounds represented by separate particular chemical formulae. A near-infrared light-absorbing film may include a near-infrared light-absorbing layer including a cured product of the composition. A camera device may include the near-infrared light-absorbing film, and an electronic device may include the camera device.

Polymers, monomers, narrow-band absorbing polymers, narrow-band absorbing monomers, absorbing units, polymer dots, and related methods are provided. Bright, luminescent polymer nanoparticles with narrow-band absorptions are provided. Methods for synthesizing absorbing monomers, methods for synthesizing the polymers, preparation methods for forming the polymer nanoparticles, and applications for using the polymer nanoparticles are also provided.