The interplay of metal and supporting ligand in labile coordination to pincer complexes of Ag(i)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/c2dt12112c

The bis(imino)pyridine scaffold provides support for the synthesis and characterization of unique Ag(i) pincer complexes [{ArNCPh}₂(NPh)] Ag⁺(OTf)^- (Ar = 2,5-^tBu₂C ₆H₃3; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H ₃4). The bonding interactions between the cation-anion and between the bis(imino)pyridine ligand and the Ag centre are presented. Coordination of pyridine, toluene, 2-butyne and cyclooctene to the Ag centre led to the isolation and crystallographic characterization of labile transient adduct species. Bonding analysis of the adducts revealed conventional ligand-Ag coordination and important unconventional electron donation from the ligand to a π*-orbital of the bis(imino)pyridine group. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012.