From Simple Ligands to Complex Structures: Structural Diversity of Silver(I) Complexes Bearing Tetradentate (alkylenebimpy) NHC Ligands

The synthesis of five new silver­(I) NHC complexes, bearing alkylenebimpy ligands with bridge lengths ranging from ethylene to hexylene is described. Their solid-state structures exhibit an unforeseen variety, including infinite strands of Ag3 units within a helically wound ligand environment. The very first infinite chain of almost linear Ag3 units within a cage of helically wound ligand molecules is described. All complexes are spectroscopically characterized and emit polychromatic blue light (420 nm ≤ λ ≤ 510 nm) after laser excitation at λ = 337 nm. This latter behavior might lead to applications in the field of organic light-emitting diodes.