Structural Invariance in Silver(I) Coordination Networks Formed Using Flexible Four-Armed Thiopyridine Ligands

Two new isomeric, flexible four-armed thioether pyridine-containing ligands 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(3-pyridylmethylsulfanylmethyl)benzene (3tet) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-pyridylmethylsulfanylmethyl)benzene (4tet) were prepared and
characterized. The ligand 3tet gave rise to three isomorphous 3-D networks when reacted with AgClO4 (1), AgPF6
(2), and AgCF3CO2 (3). The topology of the resulting networks was that of the pyrite net. The ligand 4tet gave rise
to two isotopological 3-D networks when reacted with AgClO4 (4·2MeCN·2CHCl3) and AgPF6 (5·6MeCN). The
topology of these networks was that of the rutile net. A third type of 3-D network of previously unknown topology
was formed on reaction with AgCF3SO3 (6·3H2O). The network showed nodes with short topological terms 42.6
and 44.62.87.102. All six networks were binodal and based on three-connected Ag(I) nodes and six-connected
ligand-centered nodes. In all of the networks the flexible ligands 3tet and 4tet showed two categories of ligand
geometry which in all but one case gave rise to an interligand three-layered π stack. The networks showed a
remarkable lack of dependence on the nature of the counterion and solvent.