Photophysical properties of {[Ag(CN)2](-)}2 complexes trapped in a supramolecular electron-acceptor organic framework

The organic acceptor 1,1'-bis-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (DNP(2+)) reacts with dicyanoargentate to form a supramolecular complex with the general formula: {[Ag(CN)2]2DNP}·2H2O. The photophysical properties of this complex were determined using solid-state luminescence experiments including luminescence lifetime measurements. Luminescence of the dicyanoargentate dimers is observed both by direct excitation of the silver dimers as well as excitation of the DNP(2+) followed by indirect non-radiative energy transfer to the silver dimer units for emission. The structures themselves were characterized using X-ray crystallography. The results are compared to those from the previously studied {[Au(CN)2]2DNP}·4H2O system.