Anion Effects on the Formation of Silver(I) Complexes with the Flexible Ligand 4,4′‐Bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)biphenyl

The reaction of 4,4′‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)biphenyl (btmb) with silver(I) salts of BF₄^–, NO₃^– and N₃^– led to the formation of four new silver(I) coordination polymers {Ag(btmb)]BF₄}_n ( 1 ), {Ag₂(btmb)₃](NO₃)₂(H₂O)₅}_n ( 2 ), Ag₂(btmb)(N₃)₂]_n ( 3 ), and Ag(btmb)(N₃)]_n ( 4 ). Their coordination number varies from 2 (in 1 ) to 3 (in 2 ), 4 (in 3 ), and 5 (in 4 ). Different from the single chain structure of 1 , complex 2 displays a 1D ladder‐like double chain framework, whereas complex 3 exhibits a 2D layered architecture. Complex 4 has the same anion as complex 3 but shows a different metal‐to‐ligand ratio and a 1D double‐zigzag chain structure. Both 3 and 4 have Ag ··· Ag argentophilic interactions. The ligand btmb adopts both cis or trans configuration in the studied complexes. A trans‐ or cis‐btmb ligand link silver ions with Ag ··· Ag distances of ≈?18 and 13 Å, respectively. BF₄^– and NO₃^– are non‐coordinating anions in 1 and 2 . N₃^– is the bridging anion in 3 (1,3‐bridging fashion) and 4 (1,1‐bridging fashion). These findings suggest that the coordination numbers around the Ag^I ion correlate to the coordination abilities of anions and the btmb to silver ratio. In addition, the influence of anions on thermal stability were also investigated. This work is a good example that nicely supports the less explored field of anion‐dependent structures of complexes with non‐pyridyl ligands.