Calix[4]pyrrole Aluminate: A Planar Tetracoordinate Aluminum(III) Anion and Its Unusual Lewis Acidity

Tetracoordinate aluminum­(III) anions are generally tetrahedral and non-Lewis acidic. Herein, we describe the first planar tetracoordinate aluminum anion. The anion is isolated in its free form, representing a new “anti-van’t Hoff/Le Bel” case. Despite its negative charge, it remains Lewis acidic and permits the formation of various unique adducts, e.g., a dianionic p-block metal hydride. Turning an inert spectator anion into a Lewis acid by planarization verifies theoretical predictions made 40 years ago, ultimately connects “anti-van’t Hoff/Le Bel” structure with reactivity, and pushes further the field of geometrically enhanced p-block element reactivity.