(C2H5NH3)3[InBr6]: an indium(iii) organic–inorganic hybrid phase transition compound exhibiting a switchable dielectric response

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid phase transition compounds have been receiving extraordinary interest because they have great potential in molecular dielectric switch applications. Here, an indium(III)-based phase transition compound, (C₂H₅NH₃)₃[InBr₆] (1), has been successfully synthesized. The phase transition temperature (T_c) of 1 is 248 K in the cooling process, as certified via differential scanning calorimetry. Crystal structural analyses indicate that the phase transition is associated with the order–disorder changes of ethylammonium cations. Moreover, 1 exhibits an excellent switchable dielectric response in the vicinity of the T_c. All these findings suggest that compound 1 is an excellent candidate for stimuli-responsive dielectric switchable devices.