Luminescent silver(I) coordination networks based on bis-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)naphthalene ligands

A series of ligands containing two 3,5-dimethylpyrazole units connected to a central fluorescent naphthyl spacer have been used to prepare Ag(I) networks which have been structurally characterised. The ability of Ag(I) ions to tolerate a wide range of coordination environments has resulted in the formation of three different structural types: linear one-dimensional chains, two-dimensional sheets and three-dimensional networks. Upon complexation the ligands arrange so as to maximise inter-ligand aromatic pi-stacking interactions, with the consequence that many of the resulting compounds display in the solid-state low-energy exciplex emission features extending well beyond the normal naphthalene emission range.