Organic-inorganic hybrid iodobismuthate, [Bi(L)4(H2O)]Bi3I12, based on tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine oxide (L): Synthesis, structure and air-oxidation into [Bi(L)4]2[Bi4I16(I3)2]

Unprecedented organic-inorganic hybrid iodobismuthate, [Bi(L)4(H2O)]Bi3I12, has been prepared by interaction of BiI3 with tris(2‑pyridyl)phosphine oxide (L). Upon the storage on air, [Bi3I12]3- anion of the iodobismuthate undergoes oxidation to afford [Bi4I16]4-, [I3]‾ and I2, which have been observed in the structure of formed complex {[Bi(L)4]2(Bi4I16)(I3)2}·1.5I2·1.5H2O.65