Reversible dynamic isomerism change in the solid state, from Bi4I16 clusters to BiI4 1D chains in L-cystine based hybrids: templating effect of cations in iodobismuthate network formation.

The dehydration of a iodobismuthate hybrid built up from Bi(4)I(16) clusters and protonated L-cystine molecules involves an unprecedented reversible dynamic structural change in the solid state leading to 1D BiI(4) chains and 1D helical molecular chains, highlighting the templating effect of cations in the formation of iodobismuthate network.