Role of counterions in the structures of diquinolinyl-silver coordination polymers

Abstract

The role of the counterion in the overall structure of the coordination networks formed between 1,2-bis(3′-quinolinyl)ethyne and six silver(I) salts is highlighted. The coordinating ability of the anion dominates the structures which fall into two major categories: (a) Type A, essentially planar one dimensional ribbons formed from salts with non-coordinating anions like tetrafluoroborate and hexafluoroantimonate or the weakly coordinating anion trifluoromethanesulfonate; and (b) Type B, anion bridged duplex, or double-stranded, linear ribbons formed with the coordinating anions trifluoroacetate and pentafluoropropionate as well as nitrate. π-stacking is important in the three dimensional inter-strand packing of both types of coordination polymers.