The crystal structure of Bi14I4 condensed bismuth clusters

The crystal structure of Bi₁₄I₄ — the final known member of binary bismuth halides — was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffractometer technique (P2₁/m, Z = 1, a = 13.309(3) Å, b = 11.447 (3) å, c = 4.342(1) å, γ = 92.08(3)°, R/R_w = 0.060/0.060 for 369 reflections, sinθ/λ≤ 0.593, MoKγ). The structure consists of condensed bismuth clusters and is build up from infinite one-dimensional bismuth nets running along the c-axis and limited by iodine atoms in another direction. The common structural features of bismuth subhalides containing condensed clusters are also considered based on the analysis of interatomic distances and bond angles. The influence of the lone pair of electrons of the bismuth atom on the geometry of bismuth coordination polyhedra, and the connection between bismuth atoms coordination and the formal oxidation state of these atoms is discussed.