From Simple Ligands to Complex Structures: Structural Diversity of Silver(I) Complexes Bearing Tetradentate (alkylenebimpy) NHC Ligands

Abstract

The synthesis of five new silver(I) NHC complexes, bearing alkylenebimpy ligands with bridge lengths ranging from ethylene to hexylene is described. Their solid-state structures exhibit an unforeseen variety, including infinite strands of Ag3 units within a helically wound ligand environment. The very first infinite chain of almost linear Ag3 units within a cage of helically wound ligand molecules is described. All complexes are spectroscopically characterized and emit polychromatic blue light (420 nm ≤ λ ≤ 510 nm) after laser excitation at λ = 337 nm. This latter behavior might lead to applications in the field of organic light-emitting diodes.