[Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)3]2Ag4.9I8.9·4H2O: A discrete iodoargentate with transition metal complexes

Using the transition metal complex as templating agent, a new discrete iodoargentate compound, namely, [Ni(5,5′-dmbpy)3]2Ag4.9I8.9·4H2O (5,5′-dmbpy = 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) (1) was solvothermally prepared and structurally characterized. Compound 1 has a discrete anionic moiety of [Ag4.9I8.9]4− constructed by three types of fundamental building units, i.e., [AgI2] dumbbell, [AgI3] triangle and [AgI4] tetrahedron. It possesses a band gap of 2.07 eV, and exhibits fascinating photoelectrical property with the photocurrent value of around 0.5 μA/cm2. Its thermal stability and Hirshfeld surface analyses have also been investigated.