The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a series of benzothiazole derivatives were studied by use of the ZINDO-SOS method. These chromophores are formed by a donor-π-bridge-acceptor system, based on a nitro group connected with benzothiazole as the acceptor and a hydroxyl-functional amino group as the donor. For the purpose of comparison, we also designed molecules in which nitrobenzene is an acceptor. The calculation results indicate that benzothiazole derivatives exhibit larger second-order polarizabilities than nitrobenzene derivatives. In order to clarify the origin of the NLO response of these chromophores, their electron properties were investigated as well. The benzothiazole derivatives are good candidates for application in electro-optical device due to their high optical nonlinearities, good thermal and photonic stability. The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a series of benzothiazole derivatives were studied by use of the ZINDO-SOS method. These chromophores are formed by a donor-π-bridge-acceptor system, based on a nitro group connected with benzothiazole as the acceptor and a hydroxyl-functional amino group as the donor. For the purpose of comparison, we also designed molecules in which nitrobenzene is an acceptor. The calculation results indicate that that benzothiazole derivatives exhibits greater second-order polarizabilities than nitrobenzene derivatives. In order To clarify the origin of the NLO response of these chromophores, their electron properties were investigated as well. The benzothiazole derivatives are good candidates for application in electro-optical devices due to their high optical nonlinearities, good thermal and photonic stability.