Isostructural hybrid iodometalate(III)/triiodide salts with perovskite-like packing: comparison of physical properties for SbIII and BiIII complexes

Reactions of Sb₂O₃ or Bi₂O₃, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) and diiodine in concentrated HI resulted in isostructural salts (H₂bpe)₂[MI₆](I₃) [M = Sb (1), Bi (2)] featuring perovskite-like arrangement of anions in crystal packing. Physical properties, including UV-Vis and Raman spectra, as well as thermal stability, were investigated and compared for this pair of complexes; the optical band gaps for 1 and 2 are 1.32 and 1.57 eV, respectively.     

Molecular and Supramolecular Structures of Triiodides and Polyiodobismuthates of Phenylenediammonium and Its N,N-dimethyl Derivative

Despite remarkable progress in photoconversion efficiency, the toxicity of lead-based hybrid perovskites remains an important issue hindering their applications in consumer optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, LED displays, and photodetectors. For that reason, lead-free metal halide complexes have attracted great attention as alternative optoelectronic materials. In this work, we demonstrate that reactions of two aromatic diamines with iodine in hydroiodic acid produced phenylenediammonium (PDA) and N,N-dimethyl-phenylenediammonium (DMPDA) triiodides, PDA(I₃)₂⋅2H₂O and DMPDA(I₃)I, respectively. If the source of bismuth was added, they were converted into previously reported PDA(BiI₄)₂⋅I₂ and new (DMPDA)₂(BiI₆)(I₃)⋅2H₂O, having band gaps of 1.45 and 1.7 eV, respectively, which are in the optimal range for efficient solar light absorbers. All four compounds presented organic–inorganic hybrids, whose supramolecular structures were based on a variety of intermolecular forces, including (N)H⋅⋅⋅I and (N)H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds as well as I⋅⋅⋅I secondary and weak interactions. Details of their molecular and supramolecular structures are discussed based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, thermal analysis, and Raman and optical spectroscopy.     

Facile Synthesis of Bio-Antimicrobials with “Smart” Triiodides

Multi-drug resistant pathogens are a rising danger for the future of mankind. Iodine (I₂) is a centuries-old microbicide, but leads to skin discoloration, irritation, and uncontrolled iodine release. Plants rich in phytochemicals have a long history in basic health care. Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller (AV) and Salvia officinalis L. (Sage) are effectively utilized against different ailments. Previously, we investigated the antimicrobial activities of smart triiodides and iodinated AV hybrids. In this work, we combined iodine with Sage extracts and pure AV gel with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as an encapsulating and stabilizing agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray-Diffraction (XRD) analysis verified the composition of AV-PVP-Sage-I₂. Antimicrobial properties were investigated by disc diffusion method against 10 reference microbial strains in comparison to gentamicin and nystatin. We impregnated surgical sutures with our biohybrid and tested their inhibitory effects. AV-PVP-Sage-I₂ showed excellent to intermediate antimicrobial activity in discs and sutures. The iodine within the polymeric biomaterial AV-PVP-Sage-I₂ and the synergistic action of the two plant extracts enhanced the microbial inhibition. Our compound has potential for use as an antifungal agent, disinfectant and coating material on sutures to prevent surgical site infections.     

Tetrahydrofuran Ring Opening with Acyl Chlorides or Anhydrides Catalyzed by Gallium Triiodides: A Novel and Facile Method for the Preparation of Iodo Esters

Recently gallium and its compounds are gradually attracting attention as useful reagentsin organic synthesis'-'. Gallium enolate-mediated intermolecular aldol reaction andaddition reaction of Q -bromoketone with imine, a straightforward and versatilepreparation of propargylic alcohols from l-alkynes and aldehydes via Gal, and aminehave been documented3. Kobayashi reported that gallium reagents could efficientlypromote the glycosidation of glycopyranosyl fluorides'. The reaction of alkyne with…