A series of 2,6- and 2,7-bis(styryl)anthracene derivatives with the donors at the styryl group and acceptors at the 9,10-positions have been synthesized, and their two-photon cross sections (Phidelta(max)) were determined. These compounds exhibit a peak two-photon absorptivity (delta(max)) in the range of 700-2500 GM at 780-1030 nm. Values of lambda(max) and Stokes shifts increase as the acceptor is changed to a stronger one. There is also a parallel increase in lambda(2)max and delta(max) with the same variation of the chromophore structure. Both lambda (2)(max)and Phidelta(max) have been optimized by introducing donor-substituted styryl groups at the 2,6-positions and p-cyanophenyl groups at the 9,10-positions, respectively. The effect of a pi center on the two-photon absorption properties has been assessed by comparing the existing data for a variety of D-pi-D derivatives.