A Fluent Transition from Triiodide, I3−, to Tris(trifluoromethyltellurate)(1−), [(TeCF3)3]−—A Structural Study

A complete series of compounds with the anions [(TeCF3)(3-x)I(x)]- (x = 0-2) had been prepared and characterised in the solid state and by NMR spectroscopic methods. Dynamic behaviour in solution can be assumed for [(TeCF3)3]- and [(TeCF3)2I]-, while in the solid state all three bis(triphenylphosphoranyliden)ammonium (PNP) salts resemble structures found in triiodides. The molecular structures of [PNP][(TeCF3)(3-x)I(x)]- (x = 0-2) are discussed in comparison with [PNP]I3, I2, and Te2(CF3)2. On this basis, the structures of the [(TeCF3)3]- and [(TeCF3)I2]- ions are comparable to symmetric I3- ions, while the [(TeCF3)2I]- ion resembles an asymmetric I3- unit.