Structural characterization of the first linearly arranged Ag3 complexes supported by naphthyridine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

Reactions of the imidazolium salts with Ag2O afforded trinuclear silver complexes [Ag3(L)2(CH3CN)](PF6)3 (L = 2,7-bis(alkylimidazolylidenyl)naphthyridine), which have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes consist of linearly arranged Ag3 cores showing weak silver–silver interactions as evidenced by the short silver–silver contacts (3.10–3.24 Å). The complexes are intensely emissive in their solid states.