NEW LIGHT ON MOLECULAR-COMPLEXES OF IMIDAZOLES WITH IODINE

Charge-transfer molecular complexes of some imidazole derivatives (D) with the sigma-electron acceptor iodine have been synthesized and char acterized. The spectral characteristics and stability of the complexes have been examined and are discussed in terms of the nature of the im idazole derivatives. The 1:1 formed complexes exist mainly in solution or in the solid state in the ionic form D2I+.I3-. This ionic structur e is thought to be produced by ionization of the 1:1 molecular complex as represented by the equation 2D-I2 --> D2I+.I3-.