A 2D silver-iodide-organic framework with both fluorescent and phosphorescent emissions

Treatment of bix (1, 4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene) with AgI generated [(Ag4I4)(bix)]n 1, whose crystal structure reveals a 2D organic–inorganic layer formed by novel wave-like silver(I) iodide chains with the linkers of bix ligands. The layers are arranged in parallel with the mode of {ABAB…} type showing 1D rectangular channels. In solid state, 1 exhibits multiple emission properties originating from its different natures, while optical absorption spectrum suggests that 1 might be a potential wide-gap semiconductor.