An unusual 2D → 3D parallel interpenetration: synthesis and X-ray structure of compound [Ag2(titmb)2][Hsal]2 · 3H2O (titmb=1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene and H2sal=salicylic acid)

The reaction between 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titmb) and [Ag(NH3)2][Hsal] (H2sal=salicylic acid) produces novel complex [Ag2(titmb)2][Hsal]2 · 3H2O (1). There are two unique silver centers in complex 1 with one serving as a trigonal node and the other one as a linear node. Interestingly, there are two sorts of titmb ligands in complex 1, one acting as a three-connecting ligand and the other one as a two-connecting (bridging) ligand. The silver centers are linked by titmb ligand to form 2D puckered layers containing M5(titmb)5 macrocyclic motifs, which is large enough to allow the bridging titmb ligands from the neighboring layers to be completely enclosed in. Namely, two neighboring independent layers interpenetrated each other in a parallel fashion without the occurrence of catenation to give a 3D structure.