Structural modulation of silver complexes and their distinctive catalytic properties

Abstract

A family of silver(I) complexes, [Ag₂(L)₂(OOCCF₃)₂] (1), [Ag(L)_0.5(OOCCF₃)] (2), [Ag(L)₂](OOCCF₃)(H₂O)₂ (3), was obtained by reactions of 4,4′-di(2-oxazolinyl)biphenyl (L) and AgOOCCF₃ in different reaction media. Compound 1 has a 1D chain structure with alternative connections between the Ag(I) and L ligand. When the crystal nucleation inductor, pyrazine, was added into the reaction system, complex 2 was isolated with no pyrazine observed in its structure. In 2, the 1D inorganic chains formed by Ag(I) cations and OOCCF₃⁻ anions were connected by the L ligand to produce a 2D network. When a different inductor, imidazole, was added into the reaction system, 3 with (4,4) topology was synthesized, and again no imidazole was found in 3. When 1–3 were used as catalysts for cycloaddition reactions between imino esters and methyl acrylate, 3 affords the highest yield, in which the particular size of the channels in 3 led to its selective catalytic performance.