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Triphenylphosphine adducts of silver β-diketonates [AgL(PPh3)] (L=acac, dpm, tfac, hfac, fod) and β-ketoiminates (L=hfacNhex, hfacNchex) have been synthesised and evaluated as precursors for the deposition of silver films using aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition methodology. The 1:1 stoichiometry of the adducts has been established by 31P and 109Ag NMR and a crystal structure of [Ag(hfac)(PPh3)]. The best films were obtained from the two β-ketoiminates, particularly L=hfacNhex. While [AgL(PPh3)] (L=acac, dpm) gave almost no deposition, the complex with L=tfac gave a film comparable with the two β-ketoiminates while other films showed poor reflectivity (L=hfac, fod).

Recrystallisation of [Ag(C6H4CH2NMe2-2)]41 in the presence of PPh3 has led to the isolation of a silver siloxide, {[Ag(PPh3)]2(µ4-OMe2SiOSiMe2O)}22, from interaction with the silicone grease used to assemble the glassware. Both compounds have been characterised crystallographically, and 2 represents the first structurally characterised silver siloxide. The organometallic is a planar tetramer containing both four- and six-co-ordinate silver. The disiloxide adopts a dimeric ‘step’ structure incorporating trigonal PO2Ag and tetrahedral PO3Ag centres.