Silver(I) Complexes with Dithioether Ligands: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Fluorescence Properties

Two new dithioether ligands, 1,4-bis[(phenylsulfanyl)methyl]naphthalene (L1), and 4,4′-bis[(tert-butylsulfanyl)methyl]biphenyl (L2) were synthesized and their silver(I) complexes were studied. Both AgI complexes, [AgL1(NO3)]n (1) and [AgL2(NO3)]2 (2), were synthesized at ambient temperature and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows that complex 1 has a one-dimensional helical chain structure with the neutral repeating unit [Ag(μ2-L1)(NO3)], whereas complex 2 has a centrosymmetrical neutral dinuclear structure. Moreover, complexes 1 and 2 are further extended into three-dimensional supramolecular frameworks by hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions, respectively. In addition, complexes 1 and 2 display strong blue emission in the solid state at room temperature.