A novel photoluminescent Ag–terpyridyl complex: one-dimensional linear metal string with double-helical structure

A novel photoluminescent double-helical complex, [Ag4L4](PF6)4 · (CH3COCH3)2 (1) (L = 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) was synthesised and structurally characterised. Argentophilicity (ligand-supported and -unsupported Ag⋯Ag contacts of 2.8441–3.215 Å) plays an important role in determining the infinite metal string and the nature of luminescence.