Crystallographic analysis of an intramolecularly stabilised organosilver tetramer, [Ag(C6H4CH2NMe2-2)]4, and the first structurally characterised silver siloxide, {[Ag(PPh3)]2(µ4-OMe2SiOSiMe2O)}2

Abstract

Recrystallisation of [Ag(C₆H₄CH₂NMe₂-2)]₄1 in the presence of PPh₃ has led to the isolation of a silver siloxide, {[Ag(PPh₃)]₂(µ₄-OMe₂SiOSiMe₂O)}₂2, from interaction with the silicone grease used to assemble the glassware. Both compounds have been characterised crystallographically, and 2 represents the first structurally characterised silver siloxide. The organometallic is a planar tetramer containing both four- and six-co-ordinate silver. The disiloxide adopts a dimeric ‘step’ structure incorporating trigonal PO₂Ag and tetrahedral PO₃Ag centres.