Argentophilic interaction and anionic control of supramolecular structures in simple silver pyridine complexes

The synthesis and characterization of three simple 1:2 silver(I) pyridine adducts of different counter-anions, [Ag(py)₂]⁺ · X⁻ (X = ClO₄, 1; BF₄, 2; PF₆, 3), are reported. The structural studies for 1-3 reveal the presence of strong ligand-unsupported argentophilic interactions between [Ag(py)₂]⁺ ions, forming pairs of . The Ag?Ag contact distances are 2.96-3.00 Å. In 1 and 2, pairs of are further linked into 1-D infinite chains by a combined set of multiple Ag?Ag close contacts (3.34-3.37 Å), offset ‘head to head’ π-π stacking, and anion bridging interactions. Such combined set of interactions is anion-dependant with 1 and 2 containing anions of tetrahedral geometry and , affording essentially the same supramolecular architecture. Metal-anion interactions are crucial in organizing the 1-D chains into 3-D networks. The ES-MS studies of 1 and 2 provide positive evidence for the aggregation of silver(I) ions in solution. In contrast, for 3 with the counter-anion of octahedral , pairs of are organized into a 3-D network via a combined set of Ag?F contacts, C(H)?F hydrogen bonds, and ‘head to tail’ π-π stacking interactions. No extended 1-D polymeric chains of silver ions are present in 3.