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Crystal structure and Hirshfeld analysis of poly[bis­­(N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium) [di-μ2-iodido-di­iodido­plumbate(II)]]

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aDepartment of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Volodymyrska st. 64/13, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine, and bDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry Al. I. Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I Blvd 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania
*Correspondence e-mail: [email protected]

Edited by M. Weil, Vienna University of Technology, Austria (Received 15 October 2025; accepted 31 October 2025; online 11 November 2025)

The title compound, {(C2H8NO)2[PbI4]}n, represents a layered organic–inorganic perovskite, crystallizing in space group C2/c. The asymmetric unit comprises one N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cation, one Pb2+ cation located on a twofold rotation axis, and two iodide anions. The Pb2+ cation is coordinated by six iodido ligands, generating a slightly distorted octa­hedral {PbI6} unit. The octa­hedra are connected by corner-sharing of equatorial I ligands to form polymeric inorganic sheets extending parallel to the ab plane. These sheets are separated by double layers of the organic cations, producing a typical di-periodic perovskite-type arrangement with stacking of the layers along the c axis. Neighbouring inorganic layers are shifted relative to each other along both the a and b axes. The N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cation engages in two N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds directed toward axially bound iodido ligands, which consolidates the packing of the crystal structure.

1. Chemical context

Hybrid organic–inorganic compounds with crystal structures related to perovskites have become one of the most intensively studied classes of functional materials over the past decade due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties, ease of solution processing, and compositional tunability (Kojima et al., 2009View full citation; Green et al., 2014View full citation; Snaith, 2013View full citation). Their potential applications span a wide range of technologies, including photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors (Stranks & Snaith, 2015View full citation; Park, 2015View full citation). The structural flexibility of hybrid perovskites enables the incorporation of various organic cations, metal cations, and halide anions, giving rise to a broad spectrum of compounds with tailored physical properties (Zhao & Zhu, 2016View full citation).

A particularly important concept in this field is the periodicity of the perovskite framework. While tri-periodic perovskites, composed of extended frameworks made up from corner-sharing octa­hedral {MX6} (M = Pb, Sn, Ge; X = halide) building units, dominate the research landscape (Kucheriv et al., 2025View full citation), reduced systems in periodicity, viz. di-periodic, perovskite-inspired mono-periodic and even zero-periodic organic–inorganic hybrids are also worth paying attention to (Mitzi, 1999View full citation; Smith et al., 2014View full citation). In the most common di-periodic hybrid perovskites, the inorganic layers of corner-sharing octa­hedra are separated by organic cations, leading to natural quantum-well structures with enhanced structural stability and tunable optical and electronic properties (Ishihara, 1994View full citation; Cao et al., 2015View full citation). These features make such perovskites highly promising as more stable alternatives compared to tri-periodic analogues in optoelectronic applications (Blancon et al., 2018View full citation).

The N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cation, (CH3NH2OCH3)+, could be intriguing for templating di-periodic structures. Studies of hydroxyl­ammonium-based salts have documented that these cations form particularly strong inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, significantly enhancing crystal packing density (Meng et al., 2016View full citation). Despite these advantages, reports incorporating N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium in perovskites are represented by only one example (Sirenko et al., 2025View full citation).

[Scheme 1]

In the current work, we present the synthesis, crystal structure refinement and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (C2H8NO)2[PbI4]. Our study also highlights how the cation influences the hydrogen-bonding network, octa­hedral arrangement, and overall periodicity of the perovskite-type structure.

2. Structural commentary

In the asymmetric unit, one Pb2+ cation located on a twofold rotation axis, two iodide anions, and a single N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cation are present (Fig. 1[link]). The Pb2+ cation is sixfold coordinated by iodido ligands, giving rise to a distorted {PbI6} octa­hedron with Pb—I bond lengths varying between 3.1622 (16) and 3.2028 (13) Å. Bond angles confirm this distortion: cis-I—Pb—I bond angles are between 87.07 (5) and 95.73 (4)°, while the trans-I—Pb—I bond angles are 174.33 (5)° for equatorial I ligands and 176.07 (7)° for axial ones. The degree of deviation from ideal octa­hedral coordination is expressed by two parameters: Δd = 1/6Σ6i=1(di − d)2/d2 (1) and Σ = Σ12i=1|90 αi| (2), where di is the individual bond length, d is average bond length and αi are twelve individual cis-angles in the coordination octa­hedron. For this compound, Δd is determined to be 2.79 × 10−5, and the Σ parameter is 24.40°.

[Figure 1]
Figure 1
View of the basic structural units of the title compound, showing one {PbI6} octa­hedron and the associated organic cation with the atom-labelling scheme and displacement ellipsoids drawn at the 50% probability level; H atoms are shown as small spheres of arbitrary radius. The N—H⋯I hydrogen bond is shown as a dotted line. [Symmetry codes: (i) 1 − x, + y, Mathematical equation − z; (ii) −Mathematical equation + x, −Mathematical equation + y, + z; (iii) Mathematical equation − x, −Mathematical equation + y, Mathematical equation − z.]

In the title compound, the {PbI6} coordination octa­hedra share equatorial corners to form polymeric inorganic layers with composition 2{[PbI4/2I2/1]2–}, which extend parallel to the ab plane. The organic (CH3NH2OCH3)+ cations are organized in double layers situated between the anionic sheets. The stacking of the two types of layers proceeds along the c axis, with the cations oriented parallel to this axis (Fig. 2[link]).

[Figure 2]
Figure 2
View of the crystal structure packing of (C2H8NO)2[PbI4], showing the inorganic layers and double layers of cations stacked along the c axis.

3. Supra­molecular features

Inter­action between the N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cations and the inorganic layers occurs through the protonated secondary amino group, which establishes N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds with the axially bound iodido ligands only (Table 1[link]).

Table 1
Hydrogen-bond geometry (Å, °)

D—H⋯A D—H H⋯A DA D—H⋯A
N1—H1A⋯I2 0.89 2.81 3.674 (18) 162
N1—H1B⋯I2i 0.89 2.69 3.560 (18) 167
C1—H1D⋯O1ii 0.96 2.89 3.64 (3) 136
C1—H1E⋯O1iii 0.96 2.92 3.59 (4) 128
Symmetry codes: (i) Mathematical equation; (ii) Mathematical equation; (iii) Mathematical equation.

The N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cations are oriented perpendicularly to each other on opposite sides of the inorganic layer (Fig. 2[link]). This perpendicular alignment reduces the distortion of the inorganic layer, unlike an arrangement where the cations would adopt parallel orientations on both sides. The observed orientation arises from the packing of adjacent inorganic sheets, which optimizes the filling of the inter­layer space occupied by the (CH3NH2OCH3)+ double layers, which additionally are linked to each other by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds (Table 1[link], Fig. 3[link]). Furthermore, the two neighbouring inorganic layers, separated by the double layers of organic cations, are shifted along both the a and b axes.

[Figure 3]
Figure 3
Representation of structural fragments, highlighting the hydrogen-bonding scheme in (C2H8NO)2[PbI4] (drawn as dotted lines).

4. Hirshfeld surface analysis

To further investigate the inter­molecular contacts, a Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out with CrystalExplorer (Spackman et al., 2021View full citation). From this analysis, the related two-dimensional fingerprint plots were obtained. The dnorm surface displays two distinct red spots along with several white regions (Fig. 4[link]a). The red–white–blue colour scheme was applied, where red regions corresponds to short inter­molecular contacts smaller than the sum of van der Waals (vdW) distances, white regions indicate close to vdW distances, and blue regions indicates longer vdW contacts. The red spots on the Hirshfeld surface are attributed to the rather strong inter­molecular N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds, whereas the white regions mainly refer to H⋯H and O⋯H/H⋯O contacts. The overall two-dimensional fingerprint plot (Fig. 4[link]b) is complemented by decomposed plots for H⋯H, I⋯H/H⋯I, O⋯H/H⋯O and I⋯O/O⋯I contacts, which also show their relative contributions to the Hirshfeld surface (Fig. 4[link]c,d). The I⋯H/H⋯I inter­actions contribute 41.1% to the crystal packing and thus define most of the relevant inter­actions in the crystal structure, while O⋯H/H⋯O inter­actions contribute 14.4% to the crystal structure. The remaining contribution originates from H⋯H contacts (44.1%), which can be found frequently in the structure, as H atoms occupy terminal positions. I⋯O/O⋯I contacts (0.4% contribution) appear to be irrelevant for the packing.

[Figure 4]
Figure 4
(a) Hirshfeld surface representation with the function dnorm plotted onto the surface for the different inter­actions. Two-dimensional fingerprint plots from the Hirshfeld surface analysis of the title compound showing: (b) all contacts; (c) I⋯H/H⋯I (41.1%); (d) O⋯H/H⋯O (14.4%).

5. Database survey

A search of the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD version 6.00, last update August 2025; Groom et al., 2016View full citation) revealed more than 2000 entries containing {PbI6} octa­hedra in combination with organic ammonium cations. However, only a single structure incorporating the N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­ammonium cation was identified, refcode MUPCIN (Sirenko et al., 2025View full citation). It is isostructural with the title compound and composed of corner-sharing {SnBr6} octa­hedra as the inorganic component.

6. Synthesis and crystallization

PbI2 (0.21 g, 0.45 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of 0.5 ml concentrated hydroiodic acid (57%wt) and 50 µl H3PO2 under heating with continuous stirring. After complete dissolution, N,O-di­methyl­hydroxyl­amine hydro­chloride (0.088 g, 0.90 mmol) was added to the mixture. Stirring was continued until a homogeneous solution was obtained. On cooling to room temperature, light-red crystals formed spontaneously. The product was collected and stored in the mother liquor until it was used for diffraction experiments.

7. Refinement

Crystal data, data collection and structure refinement details are summarized in Table 2[link]. Four twin components were identified by PLATON (Spek, 2020View full citation) and the corresponding HKLF5 file was generated. The proportions of the twin components were determined during the refinement cycles as 0.093 (4), 0.294 (4), 0.271 (4), 0.342 (4). Hydrogen atoms in methyl groups were placed at calculated positions and refined as rotating with C—H = 0.96 Å and Uiso(H) = 1.5Ueq(C). Hydrogen atoms of the­amino group were placed at calculated positions and refined as riding atoms with N—H = 0.89 Å and Uiso(H) = 1.2Ueq(N).

Table 2
Experimental details

Crystal data
Chemical formula (C2H8NO)2[PbI4]
Mr 838.98
Crystal system, space group Monoclinic, C2/c
Temperature (K) 293
a, b, c (Å) 8.9536 (8), 8.9538 (6), 22.300 (2)
β (°) 95.751 (8)
V3) 1778.8 (3)
Z 4
Radiation type Mo Kα
μ (mm−1) 16.41
Crystal size (mm) 0.05 × 0.05 × 0.01
 
Data collection
Diffractometer Xcalibur, Eos
Absorption correction Multi-scan (CrysAlis PRO; Rigaku OD, 2022View full citation)
Tmin, Tmax 0.377, 1.000
No. of measured, independent and observed [I > 2σ(I)] reflections 2043, 2043, 1393
Rint 0.065
(sin θ/λ)max−1) 0.686
 
Refinement
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)], wR(F2), S 0.060, 0.144, 1.05
No. of reflections 2043
No. of parameters 65
No. of restraints 3
H-atom treatment H-atom parameters constrained
Δρmax, Δρmin (e Å−3) 1.81, −1.91
Computer programs: CrysAlis PRO (Rigaku OD, 2022View full citation), SHELXT (Sheldrick, 2015aView full citation), SHELXL (Sheldrick, 2015bView full citation), OLEX2 (Dolomanov et al., 2009View full citation) and publCIF (Westrip, 2010View full citation).

Supporting information


Computing details top

Poly[bis(N,O-dimethylhydroxylammonium) [di-µ2-iodido-diiodidoplumbate(II)]] top
Crystal data top
(C2H8NO)2[PbI4]F(000) = 1456
Mr = 838.98Dx = 3.133 Mg m3
Monoclinic, C2/cMo Kα radiation, λ = 0.71073 Å
a = 8.9536 (8) ÅCell parameters from 1334 reflections
b = 8.9538 (6) Åθ = 3.2–28.4°
c = 22.300 (2) ŵ = 16.41 mm1
β = 95.751 (8)°T = 293 K
V = 1778.8 (3) Å3Plate, clear light red
Z = 40.05 × 0.05 × 0.01 mm
Data collection top
Xcalibur, Eos
diffractometer
2043 independent reflections
Radiation source: fine-focus sealed X-ray tube, Enhance (Mo) X-ray Source1393 reflections with I > 2σ(I)
Graphite monochromatorRint = 0.065
Detector resolution: 16.1593 pixels mm-1θmax = 29.2°, θmin = 1.8°
ω scansh = 1212
Absorption correction: multi-scan
(CrysAlisPro; Rigaku OD, 2022)
k = 1212
Tmin = 0.377, Tmax = 1.000l = 3030
2043 measured reflections
Refinement top
Refinement on F2Primary atom site location: dual
Least-squares matrix: fullHydrogen site location: inferred from neighbouring sites
R[F2 > 2σ(F2)] = 0.060H-atom parameters constrained
wR(F2) = 0.144 w = 1/[σ2(Fo2) + (0.046P)2 + 3.2533P]
where P = (Fo2 + 2Fc2)/3
S = 1.05(Δ/σ)max < 0.001
2043 reflectionsΔρmax = 1.81 e Å3
65 parametersΔρmin = 1.91 e Å3
3 restraints
Special details top

Geometry. All esds (except the esd in the dihedral angle between two l.s. planes) are estimated using the full covariance matrix. The cell esds are taken into account individually in the estimation of esds in distances, angles and torsion angles; correlations between esds in cell parameters are only used when they are defined by crystal symmetry. An approximate (isotropic) treatment of cell esds is used for estimating esds involving l.s. planes.

Refinement. Refined as a 4-component twin.

Fractional atomic coordinates and isotropic or equivalent isotropic displacement parameters (Å2) top
xyzUiso*/Ueq
Pb10.5000000.18968 (14)0.2500000.0291 (3)
I10.75260 (19)0.43769 (17)0.25702 (6)0.0514 (4)
I20.5225 (2)0.20194 (18)0.39416 (6)0.0529 (4)
O10.622 (3)0.624 (2)0.4578 (8)0.103 (8)
N10.641 (2)0.595 (2)0.3990 (8)0.069 (6)
H1A0.6261290.4980990.3907770.083*
H1B0.7326600.6197610.3907810.083*
C20.524 (3)0.689 (3)0.3634 (10)0.075 (8)
H2A0.5080290.6513080.3228880.113*
H2B0.5586510.7902140.3626400.113*
H2C0.4320240.6847020.3818010.113*
C10.726 (3)0.520 (3)0.4929 (10)0.090 (10)
H1C0.8044480.4911270.4691120.135*
H1D0.6715750.4332260.5035640.135*
H1E0.7685240.5692150.5289280.135*
Atomic displacement parameters (Å2) top
U11U22U33U12U13U23
Pb10.0223 (12)0.0246 (13)0.0405 (5)0.0000.0032 (7)0.000
I10.0349 (15)0.0373 (17)0.0827 (10)0.0157 (5)0.0090 (11)0.0014 (11)
I20.0619 (13)0.0579 (12)0.0377 (7)0.0162 (8)0.0005 (9)0.0023 (8)
O10.13 (2)0.092 (19)0.101 (16)0.005 (14)0.053 (16)0.003 (16)
N10.038 (14)0.070 (17)0.100 (16)0.014 (12)0.010 (12)0.013 (15)
C20.07 (3)0.08 (3)0.068 (16)0.008 (15)0.017 (18)0.034 (16)
C10.08 (3)0.10 (3)0.08 (2)0.018 (17)0.034 (19)0.04 (2)
Geometric parameters (Å, º) top
Pb1—I13.1622 (16)N1—H1B0.8900
Pb1—I1i3.1623 (15)N1—C21.504 (10)
Pb1—I1ii3.1767 (15)C2—H2A0.9600
Pb1—I1iii3.1767 (16)C2—H2B0.9600
Pb1—I2i3.2028 (13)C2—H2C0.9600
Pb1—I23.2028 (13)C1—H1C0.9600
O1—N11.363 (9)C1—H1D0.9600
O1—C11.481 (10)C1—H1E0.9600
N1—H1A0.8900
I1—Pb1—I1i90.79 (8)O1—N1—H1B110.8
I1i—Pb1—I1iii90.138 (7)O1—N1—C2104.7 (17)
I1—Pb1—I1iii174.33 (5)H1A—N1—H1B108.9
I1i—Pb1—I1ii174.33 (5)C2—N1—H1A110.8
I1—Pb1—I1ii90.138 (6)C2—N1—H1B110.8
I1iii—Pb1—I1ii89.49 (8)N1—C2—H2A109.5
I1ii—Pb1—I295.73 (4)N1—C2—H2B109.5
I1iii—Pb1—I287.07 (5)N1—C2—H2C109.5
I1iii—Pb1—I2i95.73 (4)H2A—C2—H2B109.5
I1i—Pb1—I2i87.34 (4)H2A—C2—H2C109.5
I1—Pb1—I287.34 (4)H2B—C2—H2C109.5
I1i—Pb1—I289.90 (4)O1—C1—H1C109.5
I1ii—Pb1—I2i87.07 (5)O1—C1—H1D109.5
I1—Pb1—I2i89.90 (4)O1—C1—H1E109.5
I2—Pb1—I2i176.07 (7)H1C—C1—H1D109.5
Pb1—I1—Pb1iv174.33 (5)H1C—C1—H1E109.5
N1—O1—C1104.9 (17)H1D—C1—H1E109.5
O1—N1—H1A110.8
C1—O1—N1—C2174 (2)
Symmetry codes: (i) x+1, y, z+1/2; (ii) x+3/2, y1/2, z+1/2; (iii) x1/2, y1/2, z; (iv) x+1/2, y+1/2, z.
Hydrogen-bond geometry (Å, º) top
D—H···AD—HH···AD···AD—H···A
N1—H1A···I20.892.813.674 (18)162
N1—H1B···I2iv0.892.693.560 (18)167
C1—H1D···O1v0.962.893.64 (3)136
C1—H1E···O1vi0.962.923.59 (4)128
Symmetry codes: (iv) x+1/2, y+1/2, z; (v) x+1, y+1, z+1; (vi) x+3/2, y+3/2, z+1.
 

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the FAIRE programme provided by the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) for the opportunity to use the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and associated software. DDN acknowledges the II European Chemistry School for Ukrainians.

Funding information

Funding for this research was provided by: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (grant No. 24BF037-01M; grant No. 24BF037-02).

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