Assembly of Ag(i) coordination polymers from a tripyridyl-ester ligand: effects of counter anion, ligand conformation and π–π interaction on non-interpenetrating 2D → 3D dimension increase

Abstract

Four non-interpenetrating 3D Ag(I) coordination polymers have been obtained from the reactions of a tripodal ligand, benzene-1,3,5-triyl triisonicotinate (BTTP4), with AgBF₄, AgSbF₆, AgCF₃CO₂ and AgCF₃SO₃. In all complexes, large hexagonal rings with dimensions of 16 × 19 Å (atom-to-atom separation) are formed, which share edges to fabricate the 2D honeycomb network. Parallel stacking of these honeycomb networks in an offset way sustained mainly by π–π interactions results in 2D → 3D non-interpenetrating dimension increase, affording 1D tubular ‘channels’ hosting free solvent molecules and/or counterions in the lattice. The pore size and shape are found to be influenced by the effects of counter anion, ligand conformation and π–π interactions, providing potential microporous frameworks.