Electrochemical syntheses and structures of lead(II) and bismuth(III) complexes of 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate

Two main-group metal complexes of the zwitterionic ammonium thiolate complexes, [M(Tab)3](ClO4)n (Tab = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate) (1: M = Pb, n = 2; 2: M = Bi, n = 3), were prepared by electrochemical oxidation of Pb or Bi electrode in MeCN containing Tab and Et4NClO4. Each M atom in 1 and 2 is coordinated by three S atoms of three Tab ligands, forming a trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry. The resulting [M(Tab)3]n+ cations are interconnected by secondary M⋯S interactions to form two different 1D cationic chains. The electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry.