Coordination networks with flexible ligands based on silver(I) salts: complexes of 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane with silver(I) salts of PF6-, CF3COO-, CF3CF2COO-, CF3CF2)CF2COO-, p-TsO-, and CF3SO3-

Inorg Chem. 2005 Oct 31;44(22):7833-45. doi: 10.1021/ic050617n.

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of nine coordination networks based on 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane, L(3), and silver(I) salts of PF(6)(-) (1), CF(3)COO(-) (2), CF(3)CF(2)COO(-) (3), CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO(-) (4), p-TsO(-) (5, 6), and CF(3)SO(3)(-) (7-9) are reported. Only 1 and other "isostructural" complexes with weakly coordinating anions such as ClO(4)(-) and SbF(6)(-) are of the host-guest type. In all the other complexes, the anions and the acetone molecules, when present, are coordinated to the metal. Most of the complexes studied here form a 2D-coordination network. Only 4 and 5 adopt a polymer-like chain structure. The packing of the chains of 4 is pseudohexagonal compact, while that of 5 is of the centered type. In complex 1, the silver atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to the sulfur atoms of four different ligands. The PF(6)(-) anions and acetone molecules, sandwiched between silver-ligand cationic sheets, are held through van der Waals interactions. In each of the three perfluorocarboxylates (2-4), two silver atoms are joined by the anions in a diatomic bridging mode. The Ag...Ag distances are sufficiently short to indicate weak metal...metal interactions. The dimeric units in 2 and 3 are interconnected through the ligands, thereby generating a 2D-network of neutral sheets, while, in 4, the dimeric units are bound to four ligands and a 1D-coordination polymer is generated. In the case of the sulfonate anions (p-TsO(-) and CF(3)SO(3)(-)), the crystallization solvent influences the structure adopted. Thus, in 5, 7, and 9 obtained from petroleum ether, or other nonpolar solvents, two silver atoms are bound in a double-bridge fashion, while a monobridge mode is noted for 6 and 8, both recrystallized from diethyl ether. In 8, both bridging types are observed. The thermogravimetric investigation, in the room temperature-450 degrees C interval, of complexes 1, 3, and 7, which incorporate acetone molecules in their crystal structures, reveals a two-step weight loss for 1 (the acetone molecules are lost first followed by the ligands, leaving behind the silver salt), while complexes 3 and 7 decompose in a single step to metallic silver.