Distinct host–guest interaction and subdued fluorescence in a coordination network of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(phenylthio)triphenylene and silver(I) triflate

This paper reports our recent efforts in using host–guest interactions to control the fluorescent properties of coordination networks containing polycyclic aromatic units. The polycyclic aromatic ligand 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(phenylthio)triphenylene (HPhTT) coordinates with AgTf (Tf: trifluoromethanesulfonate) in nitrobenzene to form single crystals of a 2-D host network consisting of octameric (i.e., containing eight AgTf units) and dimeric AgTf moieties linked to the HPhTT molecules through the Ag-thioether coordination bonds. The HPhTT adopts a starburst and rather irregular conformation, which apparently contributes to the formation of empty space between the 2-D coordination networks. Such voids are occupied by the nitrobenzene guest molecules, resulting in distinct aromatic–aromatic stacking interactions with the triphenylene units (interplanar distances: 3.46 and 3.60 Å). In comparison to a previous Ag-HPhTT network with toluene as weaker-interacting guests, the current system shows a significantly suppressed fluorescent emission from the triphenylene core, apparently due to the quenching effect from the nitrobenzene guests.