Ancillary ligands and spectator cations as controlling factors in the construction of coordination and hydrogen-bonded networks with the tert-Bu-C triple bond C superset Ag(n) (n=4, 5) supramolecular synthon

Supramolecular networks constructed with the tBu--Ctriple bond]C superset Ag(n) (n=4 or 5) metal-ligand synthon and trifluoroacetate have been transformed through the introduction of ancillary terminal nitrile ligands, from acetonitrile through propionitrile to tert-butyronitrile, giving rise to a 2D coordination network in AgCtriple chemical bond]CtBu3 AgCF(3)CO(2)H(2)O (1), a 2D hydrogen-bonded network in AgCtriple chemical bond]CtBu5 AgCF(3)CO(2)4 CH(3)CNH(2)O (2), a 2D hybrid coordination/hydrogen-bonded network in AgCtriple chemical bond]CtBu3 AgCF(3)CO(2)CH(3)CH(2)CN2 H(2)O (3), and another 2D coordination network in AgCtriple chemical bond]CtBu4 AgCF(3)CO(2) (CH(3))(3)CCN2 H(2)O (4). Concomitantly, the linkage modes between adjacent ethynide-bound Ag(n) aggregates in these compounds are also changed. A layer-type hydrogen-bonded host lattice in isostructural AgCtriple chemical bond]CtBu4 AgCF(3)CO(2)(R(4)N)(CF(3)CO(2)) 2 H(2)O (R(4)=BnMe(3), 5; R(4)=Et(4), 6; R(4)=nPr(4), 7) is obtained by introducing quaternary ammonium cations as guest templates, which occupy the interstices and thereby mediate the interlayer separation. Use of the bulky nBu(4)N(+) cation leads to disruption of the host network in AgCtriple bond]CtBu4 AgCF(3)CO(2)3(nBu(4)N)(CF(3)CO(2))]H(2)O (8) with generation of a discrete dense nido-Ag(5) cluster.