A 3D Iodoplumbate Semiconducting Open Framework with Visible-light-induced Photocatalytic Performance

Employing in situ N-alkylation of the conjugated compound 9,10-bis(4-pyridyl)anthracene (bpanth) as structure-directing agent, a 3D inorganic-organic hybrid iodoplumbate, [Me₂ (bpanth)][Pb₄ I₁₀ ] (1), was solvothermally prepared. The in situ N-alkylation of bpanth with alcohols was investigated. 1 features a novel 3D open framework based on an interesting Pb₆ I₂₄ cluster. UV/Vis spectroscopy analyses indicate that 1 is a potential semiconductor material with a narrow energy gap of 2.06 eV. It exhibits good catalytic activity in the visible-light-drived degradation of an organic dye. This work further illustrates that introducing conjugated organic molecules as templates is conducive to achieving semiconducting hybrid halometallates with narrow band gaps.