Solvation effect on the construction of coordination polymers containing a flexible four-pyridyl ligand. Synthesis and crystal structures of silver(I) complexes

► New silver(I) coordination complexes was constructed for the weak argentophilic, Ag·anion, and Ag·solvent interactions. ► The molecular construction was affected by anions, solvents, and the crystallization method. ► The natures of anion- and solvent-coordination, and the argentophilic interaction play important roles in the formation of skeletons. Construction of AgX (X − = ClO 4 - and BF 4 - ) with highly flexible N, N, N′, N′-tetrakis(ethylisonicotinoyl)ethylendiamine (L) has been scrutinized for the weak argentophilic, Ag anion, and Ag·solvent interactions. All such complexes afford coordination polymers consisting of 2:1 (Ag(I):L). [Ag 2(L)(CH 3CN) 2](X) 2 (X − = ClO 4 - and BF 4 - ) and [Ag 2(L)(H 2O)](BF 4) 2 are double-stranded 1D, whereas [Ag 2(ClO 4) 2(L)(Me 2CO) 2] yields a 2D network structure. The molecular construction has been affected by anions, solvents, and the crystallization method. The natures of anion- and solvent-coordination, including the argentophilic interaction play important roles in the formation of skeletal structures. For [Ag 2(L)(CH 3CN) 2](ClO 4) 2, weakly coordinated solvate acetonitrile reversibly associates and dissociates in the solid state.