Two Distinct Supramolecular Motifs from Bis(2-methylimidazo-1-yl) Methane: An Infinite [n]Catenane and A Discrete M6 Metal-Organic Framework

Two distinct supramolecular motifs, [Ag4(2-mBIM)4(BF4)4H2O]n (1) and [Ag6(2-mBIM)6(SO3CF3)6]n (2), were self-assembled from the ligand bis(2-methylimidazo-1-yl) methane (2-mBIM) and AgBF4 or AgSO3CF3. Their structure was characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is a 1D infinite [n]catenane molecule, and compound 2 is a discrete M6 metal−organic framework with a chair conformation like that of cyclohexane.