Triiodide Organic Salts: Photoelectrochemistry at the Border between Insulators and Semiconductors

Influence of crystal structure and composition on optical and electronic properties of pyridinium-based bismuth iodide complexes

This study investigates the impacts of structure and composition on the optical and electronic properties of a series of pyridinium-based bismuth iodide complexes. Organic substrates with various functional groups, such as 4-aminopyridine (4-Ampy), 4-methylpyridine (4-Mepy), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-Dmapy), and 4-pyridinecarbonitrile (4-CNpy) with different electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups at the para position of the pyridine ring were employed. Crystallographic analysis reveals various bismuth iodide structures, including 1D chains and discrete 0D motifs. The optical band gap of these materials, identified via diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and verified with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, is influenced by the crystal packing and stabilising interactions. Through a comprehensive analysis, including Hirshfeld surface (HS) and void assessment, the study underscores the influence of noncovalent intermolecular interactions on crystal packing. Spectroscopic evaluations provide insights into electronic interactions, elucidating the role of electron donor and acceptor substituents within the lattice. Thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) indicates structural stability up to 250 °C. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) reveals significant conductivity in the range of 10-20 mS per pixel at 298.15 K. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Bi L3 edge indicates a similar oxidation state and electronic environment across all samples, underscoring the role of bismuth centres surrounded by iodides.

Insights into the Topology and the Formation of a Genuine ppσ Bond: Experimental and Computed Electron Densities in Monoanionic Trichlorine [Cl3 ]. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021;60:2569-2573. [PMID: 33151006 PMCID: PMC7898528 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202013727]

So far, several publications have discussed the bonding concepts in polyhalides on a theoretical basis. In particular, the trichlorine monoanion is of great interest because its structure should be symmetrical and show two equidistant Cl-Cl bonds. However, apart from matrix-isolation studies, only asymmetric trichlorine anions have been reported so far. Herein, the trichlorine monoanions in 2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium trichloride [NMe₃ EtCl][Cl₃ ], 1, tetramethylammonium trichloride [NMe₄ ][Cl₃ ], 2, and tetrapropylammonium trichloride [NnPr₄ ][Cl₃ ], 3, are analysed. High-resolution X-ray structures and experimental charge density analyses supported by periodic quantum-chemical calculations provide insight into the influence of the crystalline environment on the structure of these [Cl₃ ]^- anions as well as into the progress of the bond formation between a dichlorine molecule and a Cl^- anion.

Noncovalent Bonds, Spectral and Thermal Properties of Substituted Thiazolo[2,3-b][1,3]thiazinium Triiodides

The interrelation between noncovalent bonds and physicochemical properties is in the spotlight due to the practical aspects in the field of crystalline material design. Such study requires a number of similar substances in order to reveal the effect of structural features on observed properties. For this reason, we analyzed a series of three substituted thiazolo[2,3-b][1,3]thiazinium triiodides synthesized by an iodocyclization reaction. They have been characterized with the use of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Various types of noncovalent interactions have been considered, and an S…I chalcogen bond type has been confirmed using the electronic criterion based on the calculated electron density and electrostatic potential. The involvement of triiodide anions in the I…I halogen and S…I chalcogen bonding is reflected in the Raman spectroscopic properties of the I–I bonds: identical bond lengths demonstrate different wave numbers of symmetric triiodide vibration and different values of electron density at bond critical points. Chalcogen and halogen bonds formed by the terminal iodine atom of triiodide anion and numerous cation…cation pairwise interactions can serve as one of the reasons for increased thermal stability and retention of iodine in the melt under heating.