Structural Diversity and Argentophilic Interactions in One-Dimensional Silver-Based Coordination Polymers

A series of new one-dimensional coordination polymer materials, based on Ag(I)–N bond formation, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Reactions between the poly-monodentate ligands based on ( 1E, 1 ′ E ′) -N, N ′ - (-bis(1-pyridin-3-yl)methanimine and Ag(I) salts give products that feature simple coordination chains or metallacyclic- and tape-based structures. For the simple chains these are as either isolated units, or assembled in dimeric and tetrameric arrangements through intermetallic, argentophilic interactions. However, crystal packing effects and solvent inclusion are found to readily disrupt this type of bonding. Density functional theory calculations provide an assessment of the bond order and the influence of anion binding on these interactions.