A Triple-Stranded Ladder-Type Coordination Polymer

Stepwise synthesis and structural characterization of one-dimensional coordination polymers whose topologies depend on the anions are reported. A simple ladder-type precursor, {[Ag2(L)2]­(ClO4)2}n (1), was prepared by the reaction of bis­(4-pyridylmethyl)­sulfide (L) with AgClO4. Treatment of 1 with potassium thiocyanate and potassium cyanide afforded a twisted ribbon-type chain of type [Ag­(L)­SCN]n (2) and a triple-rail ladder of type [Ag3(L)2(CN)3]n (3), respectively. The result demonstrates that replacement of the noncoordinated perchlorate anions by pseudohalide ions in the coordination sphere of 1 plays a crucial role in determining the structures of the resulting species.