Synthesis, structural characterization and thermal properties of copper and silver silyl complexesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TGA and DSC data for 1-5, 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectra of 7 and 8, POV-ray depictions of 11-13 and (DMAP)2[Cu(Si(SiMe3)3)]2, tables of crystallographic data, and crystallographic data in CIF format. CCDC 1037722-1037735. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c4dt03770g

The synthesis of copper and silver silyl complexes containing either N-heterocyclic carbenes or nitrogen donors is described. Alterations made to both the neutral donor ligands as well as the silyl group provided access to a number of different compounds. Many of the complexes synthesized were studied in the solid state and the effect of the donor ligand on the final structure of the complexes was examined. The thermal properties of the complexes were explored using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and sublimations. Some of the complexes synthesized were demonstrated to be promising volatile metal precursors. A series of copper and silver-silyl complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene or N-donor ligands were synthesized and characterized in the solid state. A number of different structural forms were observed and many compounds were shown to be volatile.