Vapochromic behavior of {Ag2(Et2O)2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n with volatile organic compounds

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• Investigates the synthesis and structural characterization of novel gold-silver coordination polymers.
• Explores the influence of coordinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To study the vapochromic behaviors of {Ag2L2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n complexes, where L represents different VOCs.
• To understand the structural and luminescent responses of these complexes to solvent vapor exchange.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of {Ag2L2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n complexes using organometallic precursors.
• Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural analysis.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) to study thermal stability and solid-state reactions.
• Luminescence spectroscopy at room temperature and 77 K.

Main Results:

• The crystal structure of {Ag2(THF)2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n reveals a 1D polymer with tetranuclear units linked by aurophilic contacts.
• Vapochromism was observed, with VOCs being replaced in the order CH3CN > Me2CO > THF > Et2O.
• Both {Ag2(Et2O)2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n and {Ag2(THF)2[Au(C6F5)2]2}n exhibit luminescence at room temperature and 77 K, with distinct emission maxima.

Conclusions:

• The studied gold-silver complexes display reversible vapochromic responses driven by VOC substitution.
• The luminescence properties are influenced by the coordinated solvent molecules.
• These materials show potential for development as solid-state sensors for VOCs.