MP2 method and different functionals such as M06-HF, M06-2X, CAM-B3LYP, PBE0, B3LYP and M06L incorporating different XC amounts were used to calculate the static first hyperpolarizabilies beta(0) of eight molecules which are derivatives of benzene, stilbene and diphenylacetylene. The values were then compared to the experimental ones. The M06-2X functional was then selected for further calculations. NBO calculations were also performed to define the intramolecular charge transfer in each molecule. TD-DFT calculations were performed taking into account the solvent effect using the IEF-PCM formalism. Some parameters characterizing the vertical transitions such as the wavelength of the maximum absorption lambda(max) were compared to the experimental ones. Finally, solvation Gibbs free enthalpy Delta G(solv) values have also been examined in order to determine which the specific solvent for a given molecule is. (C) 2016 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.