Synthesis, crystal structures, electrochemical and gas adsorption properties of two 1D silver(I) coordination polymers constructed from racemic helical ligands

Abstract

Two helical ligands (L1 and L2) were designed and synthesized by Schiff base condensation reaction. Two Ag(I) coordination polymers (CPs), namely, {[Ag2(L1)2(NO3)2]·3H2O}n (1) and [AgL2NO3]n (2) were synthesized and characterized via elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystal structures show that both Schiff base compounds exist as racemic ligands with equal amounts of P- and M-helicity. CP 1 exists as a 1D homochiral helical chain polymer via self-recognition process, and CP 2 exists as a 1D looped chain polymer. The cyclic voltammetric properties of the two CPs were investigated. Furthermore, gas and vapor adsorption measurements show that both CPs exhibit good adsorption capacity toward CH3OH over CO2 and N2.