A novel chromophore (Z)-ethyl-3-(4((4-([2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridin]-4'-yl)phenyl) (phenyl) amino)phenyl)-2-cyanoacrylate(3), constructed with triphenylamine moiety as the electron donor (D), 2, 2: 6, 2-terpyridine moiety as an electron acceptor (A), and ethyl cyanocaetate group as an auxiliary electron acceptor (A'), has been designed and synthesized. The crystal structures of 3 and its mediator 2 (4 ''-(4'(4-(Diphenylamino) phenyl) aldehyde)-2,2':6',2 ''-Terpyridine), have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The linear and nonlinear spectra of these chromophores were investigated on the basis of experimental and calculation methods. The two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections of 1-3 were determined by a femtosecond open-aperture Z-scan technique. The maximum value of the TPA cross-section (sigma) for 3 is 7938.3 GM in DMF solution. However, much weaker two-photon absorption responses were observed at the same condition for chromophore 1 and 2, respectively. The results of the work indicate that, the photophysical properties of the D A configuration group are influenced largely by the auxiliary moiety (A') attached. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.