The novel cis-[Bi3I12](3-)-anion in tri(n-butyl)methylammoniumdodecaiodotribismutate

By reaction of equivalent amounts of BiI3, KI and I-2 in [N(CH3) (n-C4H9)(3)][N(SO2CF3)(2)] as Ionic Liquid, transparent reddish crystals with the composition [N(CH3)(n-C4H9)(3)](3)[Bi3I12] are formed. Concerning to X-ray diffraction investigations based on single crystals as well as powders, [N(CH3)(n-C4H9)(3)](3)[Bi3I12] crystallizes monoclinic (P2(1)/c; a = 2383.0(5); b = 1241.0(3); c = 2493.0(5) pm; beta = 97.50(3)degrees; Z = 4). The anion consists of distorted (BiI6)-octahedra, which are face-shared via cis-oriented octahedral faces. With the cis- [Bi3I12](3-)-anion such a connectivity is firstly described.