A molecular bronze formed by interaction of benzidine in V2O5 gels

Abstract

Reaction of benzidine (Bz) with V₂O₅ gel in H₂O-EtOH yields irreversibly a well-organized black intercalation compound Bz_x–V₂O₅(plus solvation water molecules) with a maximum stocheiometry x= 1.0, the intercalated species being benzidine radical cations and probably oriented at a large angle with respect to the V₂O₅ planes; Bz_x–V₂O₅ and the previously reported TTF_x–V₂O₅(TTF = tetrathiafulvalene) are the first molecular bronzes of transition metal oxides.