Eight new silver(I) trifluoroacetate complexes based on a series of designed ligands, each featuring an alicyclic ring with enediyne functionality, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each ethynide terminal is inserted into an Agn (n = 4-5) basket, leading to the generation of coordination chain or layer structures, but the well shielded ethenyl group does not take part in silver-olefin bonding. Variation in ring size of the alicycles is shown to influence the construction of the organosilver(I) coordination networks, which are consolidated by weak intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures. The effect of adding ancillary N-donor ligands to the reaction system on the coordination and supramolecular network assembly is also investigated.
Keywords: argentophilicity; coordination framework; enediyne; ethynide; organosilver complex.