Strong enhancement of second-harmonic generation (SHG) response through multi-chiral centers and metal-coordination.

The hydrothermal reaction of CdCl2 with L (L =trans-2,3-dihydro-2-(4'-pyridyl)-3-(3"-cyanophenyl)benzo[e]indole) in the presence of NaN3 and water offers a novel route to [Cd(L-N3)2(H2O)2]n, a 1D infinite molecular box with approximate dimensions 10.37 x 6.64 è; 1 is shown to display a very strong SHG response that is 80 times that observed for urea.