Modifying silver(I) coordination frameworks containing a flexible dithioetherligand by variation of counter anions

Abstract

Two silver(I) coordination architectures with the flexible ligand 1,6-bis(phenylthio)hexane (L) have been synthesized and their crystal structures determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Different frameworks were observed in the two complexes due to variation of the counter anions. The dinuclear complex [Ag(L)(ClO₄)]₂ (1) has a cage structure with the perchlorate anions coordinated to the two silver(I) ions in a rare η² bridging mode. However, in the complex [Ag(L)(NO₃)]_n (2) there is a 2D network with monatomic bridging nitrate anions. The results show the great influence of counter anions on building metal–organic supramolecular structures. In addition, the different conformations of the flexible ligand L in the frameworks of 1 and 2 indicate its ready adaptability to various coordination environments.