Sonochemical Synthesis and Characterization of the New Plate-Shaped Lead(II)-Iodo Coordination Polymer: A Precursor to Produce a Pure Phase Nano-Sized Lead(II) Oxide

Preparation of plate-shaped nanostructures of a new 1D polymeric lead(II) complex containing the Pb ₂-(μ-I) ₂ motif, [Pb(neo)I ₂] _n,(1) where neo is the abbreviation of neocuproine, using a sonochemical method is described. The new coordination polymer is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The single crystalline material is obtained using a heat gradient applied to a solution of the reagents. Single-crystal XRD analysis indicates that a coordination number of six for Pb ^II ions, (i. e., PbN ₂I ₄) with an asymmetrical coordination sphere and "stereo-chemically active" electron lone pairs. They also show that the chains interact with each other through π-π stacking interactions creating a 3D framework. PbO nanoparticles are obtained by thermolysis of 1 at 180 °C with oleic acid as a surfactant. Scanning electron microscopy confirms formation of PbO particles with a size of ~25 nm.