Chair-form [Ag2(1,2-bimb)2]2+ in silver(I) complexes containing the ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(1-imidazolylmethyl)benzene (1,2-bimb)

The ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(1-imidazolylmethyl)benzene (1,2-bimb) and its silver(I) complexes [Ag2(1,2-bimb)2](PF6)2 (1) and {[Ag2(1,2-bimb)2]2(SbF6)4}n (2) were prepared and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both complexes contain the chair-form unit [Ag2(1,2-bimb)2]2+ with Ag(I) linearly coordinated by NIm (Im=1-imidazolyl) from the Im groups of two 1,2-bimb. However, the [Ag2(1,2-bimb)2]2+ units are positioned differently in forming 1D infinite chains through weak argentophilic interactions: linear chains in 1 with the units oriented in same direction are formed via Ag⋯π interactions, while polymeric chains constructed via Ag⋯Ag interactions in 2 are observed with the units arranged in alternate directions. Differences in supramolecular structures may be a result of different size of the anions.