Tri-, hepta- and octa-nuclear Ag(i) complexes derived from 2-pyridyl-functionalized tris(amido)phosphate ligand

Abstract

Mild deprotonation of a 2-pyridyl (py)-functionalized phosphoric triamide [PO(NHpy)₃] in the absence of an external base was studied in the presence of various silver(I) salts. Interesting examples of octa- and hepta-nuclear Ag(I) complexes coordinated to imido and pyridyl groups were obtained when more reactive Ag(I) salts, such as AgClO₄ and AgBF₄, were used, while the less reactive AgNO₃ reacts only with the peripheral pyridyl groups leading to a tri-nuclear cluster. Structural determination of these Ag(I) complexes show that sequential deprotonation of the ligand amino protons were achieved forming imido P(V) species analogous to the H₂PO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻ ions.