Hydrazine-Assisted Synthesis, Structures, Photoelectricity, and Photocatalysis of Ternary Mercury-Tellurostannate Hybrids with Transition-Metal Complexes

Tellurostannates are traditionally prepared by multistep reactions using the tellurides SnTe, SnTe2, K4SnTe4, or A6SnTe6 (A = K, Rb, or Cs) as precursors, which are usually prepared by the molten reaction of alkali metals Sn and Te under harsh synthetic conditions. Differently, ternary Hg-tellurostannate hybrids [Mn(en)3]HgSnTe3(Te2) (1) (en = ethylenediamine), [Mn(dien)2]HgSnTe3(Te2) (2), and [Fe(dien)2]HgSnTe3(Te2) (3) (dien = diethylenetriamine) were synthesized by one-pot reactions using Sn and Te powders as starting materials in the presence of hydrazine under mild solvothermal conditions. In 1, HgTe3 and SnTe4 units are joined via Te-sharing to form a 1-D polymeric chain [HgSnTe3(Te2)]n2n-, while the [HgSnTe3(Te2)]n2n- chains in 2 and 3 are composed of HgTe4 and SnTe4 units. The common feature of the [HgSnTe3(Te2)2-]n chains in 1-3 is that they are constructed by both the telluride anion Te2- and the polytelluride anion Te22-. 1-3 exhibited strong photocurrent responses with current densities of 5.26, 3.38, and 3.94 μA cm-2, respectively. They showed effective photocatalytic activities for methylene blue degradation with degradation ratios in the range of 85.3-94.6% after light irradiation for 80 min. Investigation of the photocatalytic mechanism showed that •O2- radicals and h+ holes were the main active substances in the photodegradation.

Stable 3D neutral gallium thioantimonate frameworks decorated with transition metal complexes for a tunable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Incorporating transition metal (TM) complexes into cluster-based chalcogenide frameworks is an effective synthetic strategy to induce structural diversity and control the optoelectronic properties, which may further improve their photocatalytic performance. However, limited studies have been conducted on frameworks constructed by TM complexes covalently bonded with supertetrahedral Tn clusters, let alone on their properties, especially photocatalytic H₂ activity. Herein, three new isostructural three-dimensional (3D) neutral inorganic-organic open frameworks of gallium thioantimonate comprised of thiogallate-based supertetrahedral T3 clusters that are covalently bonded with TM complexes ([TM(TEPA)]²⁺, TM = Mn/Ni/Fe, TEPA = tetraethylenepentamine) at the edges and are linked by single Sb³⁺ ions at the corner, namely, NCF-3-Mn/Ni/Fe have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized, and display good thermal and chemical stability. Benefiting from an adjustable TM centre, the title compounds possess tunable photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity, among which NCF-3-Mn exhibits the highest photocatalytic activity probably due to its favourable band structure and enhanced carrier separation efficiency.

An Organic Hybrid Indium-Telluride Incorporating Binuclear Complexes [In2(ea)4]2+ with a Bridging Oxygen Donor

The new organic hybrid indium-telluride [In₂(ea)₂Te₂]_n (1; Hea = ethanolamine) exhibits a new type of one-dimensional polymeric chain based on the linkages of dinuclear [In₂(ea)₄]²⁺ and [In₂Te₄]^2- units, which offers the first example of an indium-telluride framework incorporating binuclear complexes [In₂(ea)₄]²⁺ with a bridging O donor. 1 shows a distinctive photocurrent response and photocatalytic properties under visible-light illumination.

One-Dimensional Vanadium(III) Chalcogenidostannates Incorporating [V(tepa)]3+ Complexes as Bridging Groups

Two new one-dimensional (1D) vanadium(III) chalcogenidostannates, [H₂tepa]_0.5n[V^III(tepa)(μ-Sn₂Q₆)]_n [Q = S (1), Se (2); tepa = tetraethylenepentamine], were achieved by solvothermal methods, which offer the first examples of organic hybrid polymeric chalcogenidostannates incorporating [V(tepa)]³⁺ complexes as bridging groups. Both 1 and 2 feature the 1D sinusoidal chains of [V^III(tepa)(μ-Sn₂Q₆)]_n containing two types of novel bridging modes of the [μ-Sn₂Q₆]^4- anion. Their magnetic, photocurrent response, and optical properties are also studied.

A series of new hybrid chalcogenogermanates: the rare examples of chalcogenogermanates combined with trivalent vanadium complexes

A series of new hybrid chalcogenogermanates [Mn₂(en)₄Ge₂S₆]_n (1, en = ethylenediamine), [Mn₂(dap)₄Ge₂S₆]_n (2, dap = 1,2-diaminopropane), [H₂dien]_n[MnGeS₄]_n (3, dien = diethylenetriamine), [V(en)₂(ea)]₂[Ge₂Se₆] (4, Hea = ethanolamine), [V(teta)(ea)]₂[Ge₂Se₆] (5, teta = triethylenetetramine) and [V₂(en)₆(μ-O)][Ge₂Se₆] (6) were solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 contain dimeric [Ge₂S₆]^4- anions and [Mn(en)₂]²⁺/[Mn(dap)₂]²⁺ complex cations, which are interconnected to generate 1-D neutral chain-like structures [Mn₂(en)₄Ge₂S₆]_n and [Mn₂(dap)₄Ge₂S₆]_n, respectively. 3 consists of a protonated H₂dien²⁺ cation and a 1-D straight chain built from [MnS₄] and [GeS₄] tetrahedra sharing opposite edges, and is the only example of a chelating amine uncoordinated to a transition metal ion. Both 4 and 5 consist of [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anions constructed by two [GeSe₄] tetrahedra sharing a common edge and discrete complex cations [V(en)₂(ea)]²⁺/[V(teta)(ea)]²⁺. 6 is composed of a [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion and dinuclear complex cation [V₂(en)₆(μ-O)]⁴⁺ containing an en molecule as a rare monodentate ligand. Although some selenidogermanates with transition metal complexes have been successfully prepared, no selenidogermanates with trivalent vanadium complexes have been documented. Therefore, 4-6 offer the first examples of selenidogermanates with trivalent vanadium complexes under solvothermal conditions. Their optical and photocurrent response properties were studied.

A Novel Manganese Complex with Mixed Ligands: Preparation, Structure, Photoluminescent and Semiconductive Properties

A manganese complex with mixed ligands, [Mn(2,2′-biim)2(4,4′-bipy)] n[Mn(2,2′-biim)3]2 n6 n(ClO4)•8 nH2O (2,2′-biim = 2,2′-biimidazole; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), has been obtained by a hydrothermal procedure and its structure determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A two-dimensional (2-D) supramolecular layer is established through hydrogen-bonding interactions. Solid-state photoluminescence measurement reveals that this complex shows a blue light emission. Solid-state diffuse reflectance determination uncovers the presence of a narrow optical band gap of 2.18 eV in this complex.

A Series of Lanthanide Selenidogermanates: The First Coexistence of Three Types of Selenidogermanate Units in the Same Architecture

A series of lanthanide selenidogermanates, (H₂peha)[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl₂]{[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)}[Ge₂Se₆]Cl₂ [Ln = Y (1a) and Er (1b); peha = pentaethylenexamine, tepa = tetraethylenepentamine], [Sm₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (2), [Ho₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (3), and [Ce₄(tepa)₄(μ-GeSe₄)(μ-GeSe₅)(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n (4), were made under solvothermal conditions. Compounds 1a and 1b contain a protonated H₂peha²⁺ ion, the complex cation [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl₂]²⁺, a [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion, free Cl^- ions, and a {[Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)}²⁺ cation constructed by two unsaturated [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂Cl]³⁺ groups connecting via the trans terminal Se atoms of the [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anion, which provides the first example of an organic decorated lanthanide selenidogermanate cation. Both compounds 2 and 3 contain one-dimensional chains [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n constructed by a combination of unsaturated complex cations [Ln₂(μ-OH)₂(tepa)₂]⁴⁺ and [Ge₂Se₆]^4- anions, but their stacking patterns of neutral chains are different. Compound 4 contains one-dimensional chain [Ce₄(tepa)₄(μ-GeSe₄)(μ-GeSe₅)(μ-Ge₂Se₆)]_n, where three different selenidogermanate units acting as bridging ligands connect unsaturated [Ce(tepa)]³⁺ ions. Compound 4 represents the first example of the coexistence of three different selenidogermanate anions in the same architecture. Their optical properties are studied, and the magnetic properties of compounds 1b and 2-4 are also investigated.

A 3D neutral chalcogenide framework built from a supertetrahedral T3 cluster and a metal complex for the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction

A new 3D neutral chalcogenide framework was constructed by using a supertetrahedral T3 cluster ([Mn₂Ga₄Sn₄S₂₀]) and a metal complex ([Mn(dach)₂]) for an efficient ORR.

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates with metal complexes prepared in alkylol amines

A series of new hybrid selenidostannates were synthesized in alkylol amines, whose zinc selenidostannate with a photocurrent response represents the first example of the hybrid chalcogenidostannate incorporating rare tetrahedral metal complexes.

A novel 2-D Mn selenidostannate(iv) incorporating high-nuclear Mn clusters with spin canting behavior

A solvothermal reaction of SnCl₄·5H₂O, Mn and Se in ethanolamine (Hea) yielded a novel 2-D Mn selenidostannate(iv) [Mn₇(ea)₆(SnSe₄)₂]_n (1), which not only provides the first example of the incorporation of a hepta-nuclear Mn cluster [Mn₇(ea)₆]⁸⁺ into a selenidostannate(iv) framework, but also shows unusual spin canting behavior.

Comparison studies of hybrid lead halide [MPb2X7]2− (M = Cu, Ag; X = Br, I) chains: band structures and visible light driven photocatalytic properties

A series of inorganic–organic hybrid heterometallic halides of [TM(2,2-bipy)₃]MPb₂X₇ (M = Ag/Cu, X = Br, I) have been solvothermally prepared with visible light driven photocatalytic properties.

Syntheses, crystal structures and photocatalytic properties of four hybrid iodoargentates with zero- and two-dimensional structures

Four new hybrid iodoargentates have been solvothermally prepared and structurally characterized. The title compounds possess semiconductor characterizations and efficient photocatalytic activities under visible light irradiation.

A crown-like heterometallic unit as the building block for a 3D In-Ge-S framework

Supertetrahedral clusters are the most common building blocks in constructing Group 13/14/16 microporous metal chalcogenide materials while other types of clusters are yet scarcely explored. Herein, a new crown-like building unit [In3Ge3S16] has been obtained. The units assemble into a 3D framework [C6H14NO]4[In6Ge3S17]·1.5H2O (1) via a dual-connection mode and a SrSi2 (srs)-type topology could be achieved by treating each unit as a tri-connected node.

Utilization of mixtures of aromatic N-donor ligands of different coordination ability for the solvothermal synthesis of thiostannate containing molecules

Utilization of mixtures of differently coordinating aromatic N-donor ligands leads to the formation of the two new compounds {[Ni(phen)2]2Sn2S6}·4,4'-bipy·½H2O I and {[Ni(phen)2]2Sn2S6}·2,2'-bipy II that could be prepared under solvothermal conditions (4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine, C10H8N2; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, C12H8N2; 2,2'-bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, C10H8N2). In the structures of both compounds Ni-S bond formation is observed which is highly unusual when only bidentate N-donor ligands are applied in the reaction mixture. The detailed analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the presence of 4,4'-bipy and 2,2'-bipy molecules are essential for the stabilization of the arrangement of the constituents. The main structural motif {[Ni(phen)2]2Sn2S6} is arranged generating off center parallel stacking of the phen ligands. The empty spaces between the {[Ni(phen)2]2Sn2S6} moieties are occupied by either 2,2'-bipy (I) or 4,4'-bipy (II) molecules which are oriented towards the phen ligands to form intermolecular π-π interactions.