Synthesis and characterization of organophosphine/phosphite stabilized silver(I) methanesulfonates: Crystal structures of [Ph3PAgO3SCH3] and [(Ph3P)2AgO3SCH3]

Six organophosphine/phosphite stabilized silver(I) methanesulfonates of type L_nAgO₃SCH₃] (L = Ph₃P, n = 1, 2a; n = 2, 2b; n = 3, 2c; L = (EtO)₃P; n = 1, 2d; n = 2, 2e; n = 3, 2f) were synthesized by the reaction of silver methanesulfonates with triphenylphosphine or triethylphosphite in dichloromethane under nitrogen atmosphere. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹³C{H} NMR, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. X-ray single crystal analysis reveals that complex 2a is a tetramer Ph₃PAgO₃SCH₃]₄ and complex 2b is a monomer. The thermal stability of 2a has been studied by applying thermogravimetric analysis. It starts to decompose between 50 and 440 °C in a three-step process. The final residue (Ag) is about 20.50%.