Organotelluroxane molecular clusters assembled via TeMIDLINE HORIZONTAL ELLIPSISX- (X = Cl-, Br-) chalcogen bonding anion template interactions

The synthesis and characterisation of two novel molecular organotelluroxane clusters, comprising of an inorganic Te8O6X4 (X = Cl, Br) core structure are described. The integration of highly electron withdrawing 3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl groups to the constituent Te(iv) centres is determined to be crucial in the chalcogen bonding (ChB) halide template directed assembly. Characterised by multi-nuclear H-1, Te-125, F-19 NMR, UV-Vis, IR spectroscopies and X-ray crystal structure analysis, the discrete molecular clusters exhibit excellent organic solvent solubility and remarkable chemical stability. Furthermore, preliminary fluorescence investigations reveal the telluroxanes exhibit aggregation induced emission (AIE) behaviour in organic aqueous solvent mixtures.

Automated summary

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of two novel molecular organotelluroxane clusters. The addition of specific functional groups to the tellurium centers enables chalcogen bonding halide template directed assembly. These molecular clusters have excellent solubility in organic solvents and remarkable chemical stability, and they also exhibit aggregation induced emission behavior in organic aqueous solvent mixtures.