Assembly of a novel Ag(I) supramolecular architecture constructed from flexible ligand containing asymmetrical tricarboxylate

A novel Ag(I) compound [Ag(H2cpop)(bpy)]n (1) (H3cpop = 4-(4-carboxyphenoxy) phthalic acid, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. H3cpop came from the in situ decarboxylation of H4odp (H4odp = 4,4′-oxydiphthalic acid) in the hydrothermal reactions. Compound 1 was obtained from the self-assembly of Ag(I) salt with bpy and H4odp ligands to form a 1D chain bearing hooks with carboxyl groups. The two chains are recognized each other to generate molecular zipper structure by hydrogen bonding interaction between the bearing carboxyl groups. Compound 1 is stable in air, and show intense photoluminescence at room temperature.