New cation-dependent supramolecular arrangements of [RTeI4]− tectons: Synthesis and X-ray structural characterization of the mixed valence complex salts [p-CH3O(C6H4)Te(etu)][p-CH3O(C6H4)TeI4] (etu = ethylenethiourea) and [p-PhO(C6H4)Te(tu)][p-PhO(C6H4)Te

(p-CH3OC6H4Te)2 and (p-PhOC6H4Te)2 react with I2 and thiourea/ethylenethiourea to give the mixed valence complex salts [p-CH3O(C6H4)Te(etu)][p-CH3O(C6H4)TeI4] (1) and [p-PhO(C6H4)Te(tu)][p-PhO(C6H4)TeI4] (2). Both compounds confirm the tectonic character of the tetraiodo-organyltellurates [RTeI4]− with the assembling of polymeric chains of [p-CH3O(C6H4)TeI4]22- and [p-PhO(C6H4)TeI4]22- dimers linked through single (1) and double (2) I⋯I secondary bonds. The strong covalent character of the cation–anion interaction of 2 allows its further representation as the mixed valence molecular species [RTeI3(μ-I)Te(tu)R] {R = p-PhO(C6H4)}.

Graphical abstract(p-CH3OC6H4Te)2 and (p-PhOC6H4Te)2 react with I2 and thiourea/ethylenethiourea to give [p-CH3O(C6H4)Te(etu)][p-CH3O(C6H4)TeI4] and [p-PhO(C6H4)Te(tu)][p-PhO(C6H4)TeI4] (2). In both compounds the tectonic character of [RTeI4]− is confirmed by the assembling of polymeric chains of dimeric anions linked through I⋯I secondary bonds. The strong cation–anion interaction of 2 allows its further representation as a mixed valence molecular species.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide