Metal-dependent electronic and photochromic behaviors of dimethylbenzotriazolium iodometallate hybrids

Abstract

Two isostructural organic–inorganic hybrids, [DMBTz][Ag₃I₄] (1) and [DMBTz][Cu₃I₄] (2) (DMBTz⁺ = dimethylbenzotriazolium), have been constructed from [Ag₃I₄]⁻/[Cu₃I₄]⁻ inorganic chains and [DMBTz]⁺ cations, which exhibit metal-dependent electronic behaviors and adjustable photoresponsive properties. In contrast to obvious intermolecular charge transfer (CT) and optically inert response of an iodocuprate hybrid, an iodoargentate hybrid exhibits photoinduced electron transfer (ET) photochromism and phase-transition enhanced photosensitivity, suggesting a delicate modulating effect of the composition and packing modes on the intermolecular CT and ET as well as consequently photoresponsive behaviors.