A Chiral Tetrahedral Framework with Tetrahedral Guests for Catalysis and Photoluminescence

Presented here is a chiral three-dimensional indium­(III)-organic compound [In­(5-Aip)2]·(TPP)·4H2O (1; 5-Aip = 5-aminoisophthalate, TPP = tetraphenylphosphonium). The structure of 1 features an unusual tetrahedral anionic framework containing tetrahedral TPP guests. This compound shows interesting photoluminescent properties and notable catalytic activity on the diethylzinc addition to benzaldehyde. The results reveal that the employment of tetrahedral TPP cations as guests can not only direct the formation of a tetrahedral framework but also help on the improvement of physical properties.