Merocyanine dyes: synthesis, structure, properties and applications

Key approaches to the synthesis of merocyanine dyes are summarised. The dependence of the dye properties on their chemical structure, the solvent nature and the aggregation type is analysed. The main methods of studying the electronic structure of merocyanines are considered. Attention is focused on polyene–polymethine electron transitions. The applications of merocyanines in modern research, including the design of new materials and technologies (non-linear optics, photovoltaics, holography, etc.) are presented.