Construction of a three-dimensional network with open channels via Ag-Ag and π-π interactions between nanoscale sized molecular chains

The reaction of Ag2O with pybz (pybz=4-(4-pyridyl)benzoate) gave the monomer compound [Ag(pycz)(H2O)], 1. Using 4,4′-bipyridyl (bpy) as a spacer to increase the length of the monomer resulted in the nanosized molecular chain compound [Ag2(pybz)2(bpy)], 2. In 1, two monomers [Ag(pycz)(H2O)] are combined together through Ag⋯π, π⋯π and Ag⋯(CC) interactions to form a dimer, with the distances of 3.34, 3.56 and 3.18 Å, respectively. In 2, the [Ag2(pybz)2(bpy)] units are held together via π⋯π (3.4-3.5 Å) interactions resulting in a 3D network with 1D open channels.