A derivative of laser dye DCM highly soluble in alcohols

Abstract The chemical structure of the well-known laser dye DCM (4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6-p-dimethylamino-styrl-4H-pyran) has been modified in order to increase the solubility in alcohols: the dimethylamino group has been replaced by the more hydrophilic diethanolamino group. Much higher solubility in methanol, ethanol and ethylene glycol is demonstrated and allows one to use easily these solvents in laser operations. In particular, the higher solubility in methanol enables efficient pumping at 308 nm by an excimer-laser. Results obtained under pumping by a Nd:YAG-laser are also reported.