Four imidazolium iodocuprates based on anion–π and π–π interactions: Structural and spectral modulation

Four imidazolium iodocuprates, [(1,3-dimethylimidazole)(Cu2I3)]n (1), [(1,2,3-trimethylimidazole)(Cu2I3)]n (2), [(1,3-dimethylimidazole)(Cu3I5)]n (3) and [(1,3-dimethylbenzimidazole)(CuI2)]n (4) have been solvothermally synthesized and optically characterized. Results exhibit that cationic spatial orientation, anion–π and π–π interactions are beneficial to structural diversity and band gap modulation of iodocuprate hybrids. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra show that compounds 1–4 are potential semiconductor materials.