Multi-dimensional copper(I) and silver (I) coordination polymers assembled with a pyridyl bis-urea macrocyclic ligand

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a new flexible multimodal macrocyclic ligand, protected pyridyl bis-urea macrocycle 1, and two of its coordination polymers Cu2I2(1)2·(CH3CN)1.63 (2) and [Ag(1)](NO3).(H2O)2.49 (3). The ligand possesses conformational flexibility and adopts different conformations and binding modes depending on the metal ions. The crystal structure of 2 shows a 2D coordination network constructed from rhomboidal Cu2I2 dimer units and 1 as a bridging ligand binding through the pyridyl N atoms. 3 forms a sophisticated 3D structure with 1D chains formed by N-Ag-N links between pyridyl N atoms of two adjacent macrocyclic ligands and Ag(I) ions. These chains form 2D layers through longer Ag-O interactions and the chains are linked together into a 3D network by hydrogen bonding involving interstitial water molecules. These results indicate the potential of ligand 1 in the self-assembly of coordination polymers with diverse topology and functional applications.