Synthesis and structure of an aryltellurenium(II) cation; [4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis(1-penty1-1H-benzimidazo1-2-yl-KN3)phenyl-KCi]tellurium(11) (1,4-dioxane)triiodidomercurate(II)

In the title salt, (C34H41N4Te)[HgI3(C4F8O2)], the aryltellurenium [C34H41N4Te](+) cations and [HgI3(dioxane)]-anions are linked by a short interaction between the Te atom and one of the I -atom donors of the anion, as well as through weak C-H center dot center dot center dot I interactions. The geometry around the Te atom is T-shaped with the coordination comprising a C atom of the central aromatic ring and two N atom donors of the benzimidazolyl moiety. The Te N bond lengths are almost equal [2.232 (3) and 2.244 (3) A], while the Te C bond length is 2.071 (4) A. The N Te N bond angle is 150.68 (11). The Hgli atom of the anion is coordinated by iodide ions from three sides and the fourth coordination site is occupied by an 0 atom of the solvent molecule (dioxane). Thus, it attains a trigonal-pyrimidal geometry, with O-Hg-I angles ranging of 90.76 (8) and 96.76 (7) and I Hg I angles ranging from 112.41 (1) to 125.10 (1). The cations and anions are involved in numerous weak pi-pi stacking interactions involving both the central phenyl ring and two inversion-related benzimidazole moieties, which propagate in the a-axis direction. In addition, there are numerous C-H center dot center dot center dot I interactions between the cations and anions, which link them into a complex three-dimensional array.