Silver(I) Complexes with a Bulky Anthracene-Based Dicarboxylic Ligand: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties

To explore the influence of anthracene skeleton with a larger conjugated pi-system oil the structures and properties of its complexes, two Ag-I-carboxylate complexes based on anthracene-9,10-dicarboxylate (L) were synthesized and characterized: [{[Ag(L)][Ag(dmpy)(2)]}(infinity)] (1) and [{[Ag-2(L)(dmpy)(2)]}(infinity)] (2) (dmpy = 2,6-dimethylpyridine and bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine). Complex 1 has an interesting framework consisting of anionic chains {[Ag(L)](-)}(infinity) and the mononuclear cationic units [Ag(dmpy(2))(+)], which is further assembled to form networks along the different crystallographic directions by the intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot Ag hydrogen-bonding interactions. Complex 2 takes a ladder-like chain Structure by incorporating 4.4'-bipyridine (bipy) as a bridging co-ligand, which is further interlinked to generate a planar network through interchain Ag-Ag bonding contacts. The steric bulk of anthracene ring in L may play an important role in the formation of 1 and 2. Moreover, the luminescent properties of the 1 and 2 were investigated in detail.