Synthesis, characterization and luminescent properties of silver(I) complexes with 5-sulfosalicylic acid and imidazole derivatives

Three new Ag(I) coordination compounds, namely, (imH)2[Ag2(μ-Hssal)2(H2O)2] (1), {(2mimH)2[Ag2(μ3-Hssal)2(H2O)2]}n (2) and [Ag2(µ4-Hssal)(dmim)2]n (3) with 5-sulfosalicylic acid (H3ssal) and varying imidazole derivatives (imidazole (im), 2-methylimidazole (2mim), 1,2-dimethylimidazole (dmim)) were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. While imidazole and 2-methylimidazole act as counter ions outside the coordination sphere as cations by undergoing proton transfer in complexes 1 and 2, 1,2-dimethylimidazole serves as a ligand in complex 3. Complex 1 is a binuclear compound while complex 2 is two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer, and complex 3 is one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer. The complexes 1–3 exhibite ligand-supported argentophilic Ag⋯Ag interactions. The luminescent properties of the complexes are also discussed.