Attainment of new TeII and TeIV iodides by unexpected removal of the mesityl group of [mesTeI2]−: Synthesis and structural features of [TeI4][Co(en)3] · I, [TeI6][Co(en)3] · I, [{TeI6}{Te2I10}][Co(NH3)6]2 · 2I · 6H2O and [(mesTeI2)2(μ-I2)][Co(bpy)3] · I3

(MesTe)2 reacts with I2 and [CoLn]I3 {L = (NH3)6, (en)3} in a biphasic system (chloroform and water) to give, in the interface of the two phases, crystals of [TeI4][Co(en)3] · I− (1), [TeI6][Co(en)3] · I− (2) and [{TeI6}{Te2I10}] [Co(NH3)6]2 · 2I− · 6H2O (3), in a high yield. If the crystallization is carried out with [Co(bpy)3]I3 under addition of THF, the mesityl groups are retained and the final product is [(mesTeI2)2(μ-I2)][Co(bpy)3] · I3- · 2CHCl3 (4), which crystallizes in the organic phase. The already known species {mesTeI⋯I(mes)Te−Te(mes)2} appears as subproduct in the syntheses of 1, 2 and 3, in the organic phase.The X-ray structural characterization of the new complexes is discussed, together with some synthetic features related with the abstraction of the mesityl groups in the three first syntheses.

Graphical abstract(MesTe)2 reacts with I2 and [CoLn]I3 {L = (NH3)6, (en)3} in a chloroform/water mixture to give [TeI4][Co(en)3] · I−, [TeI6][Co(en)3] · I−and [{TeI6}{Te2I10}] [Co(NH3)6]2 · 2I− · 6H2O in the interface of the two phases. If the crystallization occurs with [Co(bpy)3]I3 under addition of THF, the final product is [(mesTeI2)2(μ-I2)][Co(bpy)3] · I3- · 2CHCl3, obtained in the organic phase. The known species {mesTeI⋯I(mes)Te–Te(mes)2} appears as subproduct in the three first syntheses.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide