Cation-induced pi-stacking

The design and synthesis of a new dipyridyl ligand with appended phenanthryl moieties is described. On addition of increments of silver(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate to a solution of the ligand, the phenanthryl protons shift upfield in the (1)H NMR spectrum, suggesting that the phenanthrenes pi-stack on coordination of silver(I). In accord with this, the oxidation potential decreased from 1.74 to 1.55 V on complexation of silver(I). The pi-stacking was confirmed with the single-crystal X-ray structure of a palladium(II) coordination complex.     

Competition between coordination bonds and hydrogen bonds: the nitrile-silver(I) interaction using dicyanobithiophene as ligand

Reactions of the ligand 5,5′-dicyano-2,2′-bithiophene (T₂CN₂) with a variety of silver(I) salts are presented. In most cases, the ligand precipitates by itself without incorporating the silver(I) metal. However, when the counterion is triflate, in benzene or THF, a coordination compound is formed. The crystal structure of the species grown from benzene, a double-stranded one-dimensional polymer, is reported. In this structure, the bithiophene ligand is twisted into the uncommon syn orientation. The reasons for the lack of reactivity of the ligand are discussed by comparing the relative strengths of the interligand hydrogen bond with the ligand–metal bond.     

A systematic study of the synthesis of silver nanoplates: is citrate a "magic" reagent?

In this work we have carried out systematic studies and identified the critical role of hydrogen peroxide instead of the generally believed citrate in the well-known chemical reduction route to silver nanoplates. This improved understanding allows us to develop consistently reproducible processes for the synthesis of nanoplates with high efficiency and yields. By harnessing the oxidative power of H(2)O(2), various silver sources including silver salts and metallic silver can be directly converted to nanoplates with the assistance of an appropriate capping ligand, thus significantly enhancing the reproducibility of the synthesis. Contrary to the previous conclusion that citrate is the key component, we have determined that the group of ligands with selective adhesion to Ag (111) facets can be expanded to many di- and tricarboxylate compounds whose two nearest carboxylate groups are separated by two or three carbon atoms. We have also found that the widely used secondary ligand polyvinylpyrrolidone can be replaced by many hydroxyl group-containing compounds or even removed entirely while still producing nanoplates of excellent uniformity and stability. In addition to the general understanding of NaBH(4) as a reducing agent, it has also been found to act as a capping agent to stabilize the silver nanoparticles, prolong the initiation time required for nanoplate nucleation, and contribute to the control of the thickness as well as the aspect ratio of silver nanoplates. The improved insight into the specific roles of the reaction components and significantly enhanced reproducibility are expected to help elucidate the formation mechanism of this interesting nanostructure.     

The Extraction of Silver and the Effect of Diluent,Ligand Side Group and Solvent Composition

Solvent extraction and the so called BTBP class of ligands can be used for the separation of the actinides from the rest of used nuclear fuel. One troublesome co-extracting element in this separation is silver.Therefore, two different BTBP molecules, having different side groups have been investigated. It was shown that the silver distribution ratio is higher using the CyMe4-BTBP than theC2 -BTBP ligand. In additional experiments, it was shown that no water soluble silver complex is formed in the CyMe4 system and that the complex is one ligand/metal. No effect of varying the diluent/solvent was proven.     

Surface-enhanced fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering of push–pull molecules: sulfur-functionalized 4-amino-7-nitrobenzofurazan adsorbed on Ag and Au nanostructured substrates

We investigated the chemisorption of self-assembled monolayers of sulfur-functionalized 4-amino-7-nitrobenzofurazan on gold and silver nanoisland films (NIFs) by means of surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The ligand is a push–pull molecule, where an intramolecular charge transfer occurs between an electron-donor and an electron-acceptor group, thus exhibiting nonlinear optical properties that are related to both SERS and SEF effects. The presence of different heteroatoms in the molecule ensures the possibility of chemical interaction with both silver and gold substrates. The SERS spectra suggest that furazan is bound to silver via lone pairs of the nitrogen atoms, whereas the ligand is linked to gold via a sulfur atom. Silver NIFs provide more efficient enhancement of both fluorescence and Raman scattering in comparison with gold NIFs. The present SEF and SERS investigation could provide useful information for foreseeing changes in the nonlinear responses of this push–pull molecule.     

Helical (isotactic) and syndiotactic silver(I) metallo-supramolecular coordination polymers assembled from a readily prepared bis-pyridylimine ligand containing a 1,5-naphthalene spacer

A ligand in which two pyridylimine binding units are linked by a 1,5-naphthalene spacer is prepared and its silver(I) coordination chemistry investigated. In the solid state, a pair of C-H triplebond N interactions between pyridylimine units link the free ligands into chain structures, with further C-H triplebond N and some -stacking interactions linking these chains into a three-dimensional structure. The spacer constrains the ligand to dinucleate, and with silver(I) the metal coordinates to two pyridylimine units from two separate ligands and this leads to the formation of coordination polymers with a range of different anions. Different twisting motifs within the ligand control the tacticity of these coordination polymers and both isotactic, helical polymers and syndiotactic (achiral) polymers result. The core of the isotactic polymer strands contains two metallo-vectors and results in long-range ordering of the metal centres into a 2 x n grid arrangement. The solution behaviour indicates that exchange between the diastereomeric forms occurs. Since this must involve inversion at the metal centres, atactic species may also form a component of the solution library.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrocatalytic performance of a dinuclear triazenidosilver(I) complex for hydrogen production

Our group has developed a series of molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation based on triazenido–metal complexes (cobalt, copper, etc.). In this paper, we first present the electrocatalytic performance of a new dinuclear silver complex, [Ag₂(L)₂], formed by the reaction of the triazenido ligand 1‐[(2‐carboxymethyl)benzene]‐3‐[(2‐methoxy)benzene]triazene (HL) with AgNO₃. At room temperature, the silver complex shows photoluminescence at 653 nm. The electrocatalytic systems based on this silver complex can afford 106.57 and 1536.36 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour from acetic acid at an overpotential (OP) of 991.6 mV and from a neutral aqueous buffer (pH = 7.0) at an OP of 837.6 mV, respectively. Electrochemical investigations show that both silver ion and triazenido ligand play a role in determining the catalytic activities of the electrocatalytic system.     

Assembly of silver(I) polymers with helical and lamellar structures

The new versatile multidentate nonchelating ligand 1,2-bis[(2-pyr-imidinyl)-sulfanylmethyl]benzene (bpsb) was designed and prepared for supramolecular syntheses. Self-assembly between silver nitrate and the bpsb ligand resulted in the polymer [Ag4(bpsb)2-(NO3)4]n (1) with a single-stranded helical chain structure. Each bpsb ligand in 1 acts as a tetradentate ligand, in which two sulfur atoms and two nitrogen atoms from different pyrimidine groups coordinate to four Ag atoms in four different directions. The nitrate anions serve as a template for the formation of the helix and are either embedded in the interior of the helix or located in the flank of the helix. Self-assembly between silver perchlorate and the bpsb ligand under the same conditions gave rise to the polymer [Ag2(bpsb)3(ClO4)2]n (2) comprising a two-dimensional lamellar network containing crownlike cavities. The silver atoms in two adjacent layers are arranged staggered in 2. The two-dimensional lamellar network comprising isolated cavities of [Ag6(bpsb)6] is very different from that of usual honeycomb structures.     

Silver(I) complexes of a sterically demanding fluorinated triazapentadienyl ligand [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]- (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl)

Sterically demanding triazapentadiene [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]H affords the isolation of thermally stable, two- and three-coordinate silver complexes. The free ligand [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]H has a W-shaped ligand backbone in the solid state.[N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]H reacts with silver(I) oxide in acetonitrile leading to CH(3)CNAg [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]HIt features a two-coordinate silver center and a kappa(1)-coordinated triazapentadienyl ligand. This silver acetonitrile complex serves as an excellent precursor to obtain thermally stable, silver isocyanide t-BuNCAg [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]Hand silver phosphine [[N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]HAgPPh(3) adducts. IR spectroscopic data for the silver(I) isocyanide t-BuNCAg [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]Hshows nu(CN) at 2219 cm(-)(1). The silver ion coordinates to the triazapentadienyl ligand via the central nitrogen atom. The silver PPh(3) adduct,[N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]HAgPPh(3), was synthesized by treating CH3CNAg [N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]Hwith PPh(3). It displays relatively large Ag-P coupling in the (31)P NMR spectrum. The triazapentadienyl ligand in[N((C3F7)C(Dipp)N)2]HAgPPh(3) acts as a chelating kappa(2)-donor. The Ag-P bond is relatively short (2.3487(10) A).     

How citrate ligands affect nanoparticle adsorption to microparticle supports

Residual ligands from colloidal synthesis of nanoparticles influence adsorption of nanoparticles to supports and may complicate fabrication of nanoparticle-decorated microparticles. In this work, we studied the adsorption of completely ligand-free metal nanoparticles and controlled ligand-functionalized nanoparticles to chemically inert microparticle supports. Adsorption of ligand-free silver nanoparticles to barium sulfate microparticle supports is a quantitative, nonreversible process following Freundlich adsorption isotherm. However, adsorption efficiency is very sensitive to ligand concentration applied during laser-based synthesis of silver nanoparticles: exceeding a specific threshold concentration of 50 μmol/L citrate equal to a nanoparticle ligand surface coverage of about 50%, results in an almost complete prevention of nanoparticle adsorption because of electrosteric repulsion by ligand shell. Laser-based synthesis of nanoparticle-decorated microparticles is demonstrated with a variety of metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Pt, Fe) and supporting microparticles (calcium phosphate, titanium dioxide, barium sulfate) with application potential in heterogeneous catalysis or biomedicine where ligand control offers extra value, like enhanced catalytic activity or biocompatibility.     

Silver(I) complexation of (poly)aromatic ligands. Structural criteria for depth penetration into cis-stilbenoid cavities

Silver(I) complexes with aromatic donors are thoroughly analyzed (with aid of the Cambridge Crystallographic Database) to identify the basic structural factors inherent to the bonding of an arene ligand. Most strikingly, the distance parameter d (which simply measures the normal separation of Ag from the mean aromatic plane) is singularly invariant at d = 2.41 +/- 0.05 A for all silver/arene complexes, independent of the hapticity (eta 1 or eta 2), hybridization, or multiple coordination. As such, a systematic series of stilbenoid ligands has been successfully designed to precisely modulate the penetration of silver(I) into the ligand cleft, and a multicentered poly(arene) ligand (X) designed to form a one-dimensional assembly of Ag/arene units. Simply stated, the depth penetration of silver(I) into the aromatic cavities of various cis-stilbenoid donors can be precisely predicted with a single parameter gamma that measures the separation of the two cofacial aryl groups comprising the cleft. This simple geometric consideration must be taken into account in any successful design of novel (poly)aromatic ligands for silver(I) complexation to constitute new molecular architectures.     

Beyond the PN3(P) system: Synthesis of non‐symmetrical PONNP‐pincer ligands and a unique Ni–Ag bimetallic complex containing a short Ag–Ag distance

A nonsymmetrical hybrid spacer PONNP pincer ligand is synthesized and fully characterized. The dearomatized PONNP* pincer nickel chloride reacts with silver triflate to generate a unique Ni–Ag bimetallic complex ( 5 ). Single‐crystal analysis shows a silver–silver distance of 2.693 Å, which is shorter than the typical metallic silver–silver bond length of 2.889 Å, suggesting an argentophilic interaction.     

Exploring the role of ligand-BSA in the response of BSA-protected gold-nanoclusters to silver (I) Ions by FT-IR and circular dichroism spectra

Previously, we have explored the mechanism of the response of BSA-protected small gold nanoclusters (Au₁₆NCs@BSA) to silver (I) ions (Ag⁺) by using XPS, but the role of the ligand BSA in this response was not clear. Therefore, we used FT-IR and circular dichroism (CD) spectra to monitor the changes of the secondary structure of ligand BSA. After adding Ag⁺ to the AuNCs@BSA, compare with the native BSA, the ligand-BSA showed little differences in the position of main peaks but more differences in the profile of this peak in FT-IR spectra. While in CD spectra it is not only peak shape changed but also peak position. All the results showed silver ions can bind to ligand BSA, and induced their secondary structure changes. But the changes of ligand BSA are not enough to influence the fluorescence emission of AuNCs@BSA, especially for the emission of AuNCs. And BSA-protected different size gold nanoclusters have the similar changes in spatial structure of ligand BSA, but only the Au₁₆NCs@BSA could response to Ag⁺, which indicated that the ligand BSA was not the key role for the special fluorescent response.     

A Simple and Fast Aqueous‐Phase Synthesis of Ultra‐Highly Concentrated Silver Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Properties

A simple and fast synthetic route to ultra‐highly concentrated silver nanoparticles with long‐term stability by reducing AgNO₃ with ascorbic acid in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a stabilizer in an aqueous phase is reported. The concentration of silver precursor was as high as 2000 mm (200 g of Ag nanoparticle per liter of water) and the reaction time was less than 10 min. The resulting silver nanoparticles show long‐term stability after two months of storage at room temperature without any signs of particle aggregation or precipitation in an aqueous phase. The successful ligand exchange of PEI‐stabilized silver nanoparticles to polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) without particle aggregation is also demonstrated. In addition, the catalytic activities of silver nanoparticles stabilized by various stabilizers prepared by the ligand exchange method was investigated. The PEI‐stabilized silver nanoparticles exhibited a higher stability than those of PEG‐ and PVP‐stabilized silver nanoparticles in the diffusion‐controlled catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol by NaBH₄.     

Recent Progress in Inorganic Anions Templated Silver Nanoclusters: Synthesis,Structures and Properties

Over recent years, research on the ligand‐protected silver clusters have gained significant interest owing to their unique potential applications in catalysis, organic optoelectronics, and luminescent materials. However, the synthesis of structurally precise high‐nuclearity silver nanoclusters is still challenging and become one of the prime interests of chemists. The controllable synthesis of high‐nuclearity silver nanoclusters involves the ingenious use of capping ligands or/and templating agents. Thereinto, the main role of the templating agents is to promote the order arrangement of silver ions around them to form discrete molecules. Our lab has performed comprehensive studies on the ligand‐protected silver clusters in the past eight years. This review highlights recent progress in the use of inorganic template anions, silver precursors, solvents, and the ligand types in synthesizing high‐nuclearity silver nanoclusters. Furthermore, some interesting photo‐ and electrochemical properties revealed by silver clusters including luminescent thermochromism, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂ have been also summarized.     

Cyclophosphazenes as nodal ligands in coordination polymers

Herein, we show that cyclotriphosphazenes carrying organo amino side chains, (RNH)6P3N3 [R = n-propyl (1), cyclohexyl (2), benzyl (3)], and (C4H8N)6P3N3 (4) produce supramolecular coordination compounds in conjunction with silver salts by formation of linear N-Ag-N connections via nitrogen centers of the phosphazene ring. Crystalline materials were obtained by layering methanol solutions containing phosphazene ligands with methanol solutions of AgClO4 and AgNO3. The donor ability of the anion and the steric demand of the lipophilic ligand sphere R control the topology of the coordination network: (1)2(AgClO4)3 forms a graphite-type (6,3) network. All three N(ring) atoms of the phosphazene ligand coordinate to silver ions, which, in return, linearly bridge two phosphazene ligands. The phosphazene-Ag(I) arrangement in 1(AgNO3)2 exists of zigzag chains featuring one bridging silver ion and one terminally coordinated silver ion per ligand molecule. The terminally located Ag(I) ions of neighboring chains are bridged by nitrate ions, resulting in a 2D network. Both 2(AgClO4) and 4(AgClO4) contain only one bridging silver ion per phosphazene ligand, which leaves one N(ring) site vacant and gives 1D zigzag chain arrangements. The crystal structures of 3(AgClO4)2 and 3(AgNO3)2 resemble that of 1(AgNO3)2, but show additional Ag-pi(aryl) interactions between the terminally arranged silver ions and benzyl groups. Treatment of 3 with a methanol solution containing both AgNO3 and AgClO4 leads to the heteroanion derivative 3(AgNO3)(AgClO4). Phosphazene ligands 1-3 have the ability to undergo hydrogen bonding to anions via the six NH groups, and the coordination polymers containing these ligands feature dense networks of NH...O bonds.     

Synthesis,characterization, luminescent,and catalytic performance of a dinuclear triazenido–silver complex

Our group has developed a series of molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation based on triazenido–metal complexes (such as cobalt, copper, etc.). In this paper, we present the electrocatalytic performance of a new dinuclear silver complex, [Ag₂(L)₂], formed by reaction of the triazenido ligand, 1-[(2-carboxyethyl)benzene]-3-[benzimidazole]triazene (HL) with AgNO₃. The electrocatalytic systems based on this silver complex can afford 91.23 and 473 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (mol H₂/mol catalyst/h) from acetic acid at overpotential (OP) of 991.6 mV and an aqueous buffer at an OP of 837.6 mV, respectively. Electrochemical investigations show both the silver center and the triazenido ligand, HL, play important roles in determining the catalytic activities of the electrocatalytic system. Additionally, the triazenido ligand (HL) can serve as a fluorescent sensor for Ag⁺.     

The [Ag{Se2C2(CN)2}(Se6)]3−, [Sb{Se2C2(CN)2}2]3−, and [As(Se)3(CH2CN)]2− Anions: Facile Formation of the Maleonitrilediselenolate (mns) Ligand, [Se2C2(CN)2]2−

An unusual route to the maleonitrilediselenolate (mns) ligand has been discovered with the isolation of compounds that contain this ligand bound to silver (structure shown on the right) or antimony. The formation of the [As(Se)₃(CH₂CN)]²⁻ anion along with possible pathways to the mns ligands is discussed.     

(NHC)AuI]-catalyzed rearrangement of allylic acetates

[(NHC)AuCl] complexes (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene), in conjunction with a silver salt, were found to efficiently catalyze the rearrangement of allylic acetates under both conventional and microwave-assisted heating. The optimization of several reaction parameters (solvent, silver salt, and ligand) as well as a study of the reaction scope are reported. The steric hindrance of the ligand bound to gold was found crucial for the outcome of the reaction as only extremely bulky ligands permitted the isomerization.     

Formation of coordination polymeric structures on the basis of 4,4"-dipyridylethylene and Ag+ in solutions

The formation of coordination polymeric chain structures in which silver ions alternate with dipyridylethylene (DPyEt) ligands was studied. In a homogeneous ethanol solution, complex formation of DPyEt with silver cations takes place. The outcome of this reaction depends on the ligand/cation molar ratio, the initial ligand concentration, and the counter-ion type. Conditions were identified under which the coordination polymer is formed as a microdispersed solid precipitating from the solution. The precipitates formed in the DPyEt—AgNO₃ and DPyEt—AgClO₄ systems were investigated by various experimental techniques. The counter-ion was found to be incorporated in the polymer and to influence the structure of the precipitate particles.