Synthesis and Solid State Chemistry of CH3BiI2: A Structure with an Extended One-Dimensional Organometallic Framework

Direct Bi3+–Bi3+ contacts mediated by lone pairs in the HP-BiNiO(PO4) polymorph

HP polytype of BiNiO(PO₄) (600 °C, 5 GPa) shows the same structural units as the AP one but in a denser form. Bi–Bi contacts intra/inter units are surprisingly identical due to lone pair electron interaction via sharp σ* bonding at the Fermi level.

Synthesis and crystal structures of novel tertiary butyl substituted (pseudo-)halogen bismuthanes

The di-tertiary butyl substituted (pseudo-)halogen bismuthanes tBu₂BiX (X = Cl, Br, I, CN, N₃, SCN) were obtained by different synthetic strategies. They show secondary bonding interactions in the solid state and can be used for the synthesis of ternary group 15 element compounds.

Beyond methylammonium lead iodide: prospects for the emergent field of ns2 containing solar absorbers

The field of photovoltaics is undergoing a surge of interest following the recent discovery of the lead hybrid perovskites as a remarkably efficient class of solar absorber. Of these, methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) has garnered significant attention due to its record breaking efficiencies, however, there are growing concerns surrounding its long-term stability. Many of the excellent properties seen in hybrid perovskites are thought to derive from the 6s² electronic configuration of lead, a configuration seen in a range of post-transition metal compounds. In this review we look beyond MAPI to other ns² solar absorbers, with the aim of identifying those materials likely to achieve high efficiencies. The ideal properties essential to produce highly efficient solar cells are discussed and used as a framework to assess the broad range of compounds this field encompasses. Bringing together the lessons learned from this wide-ranging collection of materials will be essential as attention turns toward producing the next generation of solar absorbers.

Effect of robust π–π stacking synthon on the formation of mercury coordination compounds; an unusual pseudo-square planar geometry

In this study, three Hg(ii) complexes, [HgCl₂(L2-naph)]_n, 1, [HgBr₂(L2-naph)]_n, 2 and [HgI₂(L2-naph)₂], 3 where L2-naph is N-(naphthalene-2-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide ligand have been synthesized and characterized.

Naturally Self-Assembled Nanosystems and Their Templated Structures for Photonic Applications

Self-assembly has the advantage of fabricating structures of complex functionalities, from molecular levels to as big as macroscopic levels. Natural self-assembly involves self-aggregation of one or more materials (organic and/or inorganic) into desired structures while templated self-assembly involves interstitial space filling of diverse nature entities into self-assembled ordered/disordered templates (both from molecular to macro levels). These artificial and engineered new-generation materials offer many advantages over their individual counterparts. This paper reviews and explores the advantages of such naturally self-assembled hybrid molecular level systems and template-assisted macro-/microstructures targeting simple and low-cost device-oriented fabrication techniques, structural flexibility, and a wide range of photonic applications.

Alkyl Derivatives of Bismuth in Environmental and Biological Media

Knowledge about methylated species of bismuth in environmental and biological media is very limited. The presence of volatile trimethylbismuthine has been unequivocally detected in landfill and sewage fermentation gases but the trace concentrations of methylated bismuth species reported in a few polluted soils and sediments probably require further confirmation. In contrast to arsenic and antimony, no methylated bismuth species have ever been found in surface waters and biota. Volatile monomethyl-, dimethyl- and trimethylbismuthine have been produced by some anaerobic bacteria and methanogenic archaea in laboratory culture experiments. Bismuth methylation differs significantly from the one of arsenic and antimony because no Bi(V) compound is known to be formed in biological and environmental media. Moreover, alkylbismuth compounds are rather instable due to the easy cleavage of the weak Bi-C bond.