Synthesis, structure elucidation, spectroscopic analysis, thermal, and NLO properties of 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-3,5-bis((E)-4-methoxybenzylidene)piperidin-4-one

Owing to remarkable optical applications, a new curcumin derivative (MMBP) was synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt and Schotten–Baumann condensation reaction methods and crystallized by the slow evaporation method. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique reveals that the compound is centrosymmetric with a monoclinic crystal system, and the space group is P2₁/n. The crystal stability is ensured by O–H…O, π…π stacking, and C–H…π type of interactions, which have also been confirmed from Hirshfeld surface analysis. Utilizing ₁H¹ and ¹³C NMR, the presence of various types of proton and carbon, various stretching/bending modes of vibrations via FT-IR and FT-Raman spectral analysis and excitation and emission wavelengths using UV–Vis and PL spectral studies have been performed. UV–Vis and transmittance plots reveal that the compound is transparent (82%) in the visible region and thus, the title material can exhibit NLO properties. The PL spectrum exhibits two distinct peaks at 540 and 632 nm, which disclose the luminescence nature of the compound. Using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC), the lifetime profile of the compound has been quantified (average lifetime of 0.59 ns). The Z-scan technique has been deployed to estimate various non-linear optical properties of MMBP. The thermal stability of the material has been examined using TG/DTA thermograms.