Three-dimensional nets from star-shaped hexakis(arylthio)triphenylene molecules and silver(I) salts

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry

Background:

• Triphenylene derivatives are known for their unique electronic and structural properties.
• Coordination polymers offer tunable frameworks for various applications.
• Silver(I) ions are versatile building blocks in constructing complex network architectures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel 3D coordination networks based on silver(I) and functionalized triphenylene ligands.
• To investigate the structural features, including topology and porosity, of the resulting networks.
• To explore the photophysical properties, specifically fluorescence, of the synthesized materials.

Main Methods:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine network structures and topologies.
• Solvent evacuation experiments to assess porosity and stability.
• UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to study photophysical properties.

Main Results:

• Two distinct 3D networks were synthesized using 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(phenylthio)triphenylene (HPhTT) and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(4-methoxyphenylthio)triphenylene (HMOPhTT) with silver(I) salts.
• The HPhTT-based network exhibits a rare 8(2) x 10-a topology with channel-like domains capable of hosting solvent molecules, forming a stable apohost framework upon evacuation.
• Both networks display strong room-temperature fluorescence with a maximum emission band around 450 nm, attributed to the triphenylene core.

Conclusions:

• Functional 3D networks with interesting topologies and porosity can be constructed through the coordination of silver(I) ions with triphenylene-based ligands.
• The solvent-accessible voids in these networks can be reversibly occupied by solvent molecules.
• The synthesized coordination networks are promising candidates for applications requiring luminescent materials.