Benzobis(imidazolium) salts as templates for the self-assembly of starburst [24]pseudorotaxanes and their corresponding carbene-based classic [22]pseudorotaxanes.

Benzobis(imidazolium) salts ([BBI-H2-R4]2+, R = alkyl, aryl) interact with crown ethers through a combination of hydrogen bonds, ion-dipole, and π-π stacking interactions to form starburst [24]pseudo-rotaxanes. This new recognition motif allows the extension of four side-arms directly from the cavity of the crown ether, thus positioning the wheel component in a straddled orientation onto the axle, while their carbene-based derivatives show the classical shape of regular [22]pseudorotaxanes.

Multiple coordination modes of a new ditopic bis(pyrazolyl)methane-based ligand.

A new ditopic ligand, N-(2,2-bis(pyrazolyl)ethyl)-2,2-bis(pyrazolyl)acetamide ((pz)2CH-C(O)-NH-CH2-CH(pz)2, L4Pz, pz = pyrazolyl ring), comprising two bis(pyrazolyl)methane donor groups linked via an amide bridge, has been prepared from the reaction of HOOCCH(pz)2 and H2NCH2CH(pz)2. The ligand coordinates to various metallic salts (i.e. AgO3SCF3, PdCl2, Re(CO)5Br, and Fe(BF4)2), in either a κ2-µ-κ2 or a κ3-µ-κ2 fashion, depending on the coordination preferences of the metallic center. These compounds were characterized by NMR, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy, and in solid state by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the case of silver(i), a mono-dimensional coordination polymer was obtained, while the others were found to be discrete complexes. The synthesis and characterization of a heterobimetallic complex is also described. In solid state, all compounds are associated into supramolecular architectures via hydrogen bonding and pyrazolyl embrace interactions.

Silver(I) and rhenium(I) metal complexes of a 2,2'-bipyridine-functionalized third-generation tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand.

Heterotopic ligands offer the possibility of preparing polynuclear bimetallic complexes. Recent studies of heteroditopic ligands and their metal complexes have focused on novel supramolecular systems, biological activity, and the development of MRI contrast agents. The heteroditopic ligand Bipy-CH2-O-CH2-C(pz)3 (Bipy-L; Bipy is 2,2'-bipyridine and pz is pyrazolyl) reacts with AgBF4 to produce the coordination polymer catena-poly[[silver(I)-(µ-5-{[tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methoxy]methyl-κ2N,N'}-2,2'-bipyridine-κ2N,N')] diethyl ether hemisolvate], {[Ag(C22H20N8O)]BF4·0.5C4H10O}n, and with Re(CO)5Br to form the discrete compound bromidotricarbonyl(5-{[tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methoxy]methyl}-2,2'-bipyridine-κ2N,N')rhenium(I), [ReBr(C22H20N8O)(CO)3]. The silver(I) compound is a one-dimensional coordination polymer, built up by a κ2 coordination mode of the bipyridine group and a κ2-κ0 coordination mode of the -C(pz)3 donor set. In [ReBr(Bipy-L)(CO)3], the ligand coordinates only via the bipyridine end, leaving the -C(pz)3 donor set free for further coordination interactions.

A cadmium(II) coordination polymer formed from a third generation tetratopic tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand.

The reaction of a third generation tetratopic tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand, namely 1,2,4,5-{[2,2,2-tris(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy]methyl}benzene {1,2,4,5-C6H2[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]4, L4}, and [Cd2(thf)5](BF4)4 (thf is tetrahydrofuran) produces the coordination polymer catena-poly[[[bis[acetonitrilecadmium(II)]-µ4-1,2,4,5-{[2,2,2-tris(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy]methyl}benzene] tetrakis(tetrafluoroborate)]-diethyl ether-acetonitrile (1/2/2)], {[Cd2(CH3CN)2(C54H54N24O4)](BF4)4·2C4H10O·2CH3CN}n. The CdII center is coordinated in a κ3-fashion by one tris(pyrazolyl)methane group and in a κ2-κ0 fashion by another, while the sixth coordination site on the CdII cation is occupied by an acetonitrile molecule. This bonding mode of the ligand generates an infinite one-dimensional structure built upon 32-atom metallomacrocycles connected by the C6H2 spacer. This compound is isostructural with the silver(I) analogue of this ligand, i.e. {[Ag2(L4)](BF4)2·4CH3CN}n, thus showing the tendency of this system to form metal-based macrocyclic architectures.

Tris(pyrazolyl)methane and 1,8-naphthalimide-functionalized dialkynylgold(I) anionic complexes.

The reaction of tetrapropylammonium bis(acetylacetonato)gold(I) with alkyne derivatives of the tris(pyrazolyl)methane and 1,8-naphthalimide functional groups yielded two new compounds, both bridged by the linear C[triple-bond]C-Au-C[triple-bond]C spacer, namely tetrapropylammonium bis{3-[2,2,2-tris(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy]prop-1-yn-1-yl}aurate(I), (C16H28N)[Au(C14H13N6O)2], and tetrapropylammonium {η(2)-µ-3-[2,4-dioxo-3-azatricyclo[7.3.1.0(5,13)]trideca-1(12),5,7,9(13),10-pentaen-3-yl]prop-1-yn-yl}bis{3-[2,4-dioxo-3-azatricyclo[7.3.1.0(5,13)]trideca-1(12),5,7,9(13),10-pentaen-3-yl]prop-1-yn-1-yl}digold(I) deuterochloroform disolvate, (C16H28N)[Au2(C15H8NO2)3]·2CDCl3. The alkyne-functionalized scorpionate ligand [Au{C[triple-bond]CCH2OCH2C(pz)3}2](-) features two potentially tridentate tris(pyrazolyl)methane donor groups oriented in a `trans' position relative to the C[triple-bond]C-Au-C[triple-bond]C spacer. The naphthalimide-containing compound comprises a σ-bonded NI-CH2-C[triple-bond]C-Au-C[triple-bond]C-CH2-NI unit (NI is the naphthalimide group) π-coordinated to an NI-CH2-C[triple-bond]C-Au neutral fragment. The crystal packing of this compound is supported by π-π stacking interactions of the NI unit, generating a three-dimensional network containing channels accommodating the tetrapropylammonium cations and deuterated chloroform solvent molecules.

Post-synthesis surface-modified silicas as adsorbents for heavy metal ion contaminants Cd(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), and Sr(II) in aqueous solutions.

To analyze the influence of silica surface modification and confined space effects on specific interactions of divalent and trivalent metal cations with surface functionalities, three different high surface area silicas with different pore size distributions were modified with the following organosilanes: 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-(trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine, N-(triethoxysilylpropyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (EDTrA), and 3-(2,4-dinitrophenylamino)propyltriethoxysilane. The silicas were characterized by N(2) adsorption and reflectance FTIR spectroscopy before and after surface modification. N(2) adsorption and pore size distributions showed an increase in the pore width for all EDTrA-modified silicas, opposite to what occurred with the other organosilanes. Adsorption isotherms of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), and Sr(II) obtained from aqueous solutions were compared and analyzed by silica type, organosilane functional group, and metal adsorbed. Reflectance FTIR spectroscopy was used to probe the acetate functionality in EDTrA as a function of adsorbed metal content. A band shift to higher energy for Cr(III) on the wide pore silica studied indicated that the interaction with the acetate groups can be probed in this manner. In general, the wider pore distribution silica provided larger adsorption maxima, whereas the narrower pore distribution silica provided more favorable ΔG because of stronger binding of the cations. Cr(III) and Cu(II) exhibited larger adsorption maxima compared to Cd(II) and Sr(II), with the grafted organosilanes studied since the first cations have a greater charge/radius ratio than the second ones that provide a greater binding energy.

Functionalized O-alkyldithiocarbonates: a new class of ligands designed for luminescent heterometallic materials.

The new ligand 4-PyCH(2)OCS(2)Na, that combines two different donor groups in one molecule (a soft -CS(2)(-) group and a hard pyridine moiety), has been synthesized. The ligand coordinates to a [(bipy)Re(CO)(3)](+) center in a monodentate fashion through one of its soft sulfur atoms, leaving the hard pyridine terminus free for further coordination chemistry. Using a Ni(II) dithiophosphonate linker, the heterometallic {[CH(3)OCH(2)CH(2)OP(An)S(2)](2)Ni}[4-PyCH(2)OCS(2)Re(bipy)(CO)(3)](2) complex is obtained, through the coordination of two pyridine groups to the Ni(II) center. This simple, high-yield stepwise strategy toward heterometallic complexes could be easily transferable to other 1,1-dithiolate ligands and used in combination with a large variety of luminescent metallic systems.

Highly organized structures and unusual magnetic properties of paddlewheel copper(II) carboxylate dimers containing the pi-pi stacking, 1,8-naphthalimide synthon.

The substituted carboxylate compounds N-(3-propanoic acid)-1,8-naphthalimide (HL(C2)) and N-(4-butanoic acid)-1,8-naphthalimide (HL(C3)) react with Cu(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2) in the presence of either pyridine (py) or 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy) to produce the dimeric complexes [Cu(2)(L(C2))(4)(py)(2)].2(CH(2)Cl(2)).(CH(3)OH) (1), [Cu(2)(L(C3))(4)(py)(2)].2(CH(2)Cl(2)) (2), [Cu(2)(L(C2))(4)(bipy)].unknown solvent (3), and [Cu(2)(L(C3))(4)(bipy)].(CH(3)OH)(2).(CH(2)Cl(2))(3.37) (4). The core of these four compounds contains the square Cu(2)(O(2)CR)(4) "paddlewheel" secondary building unit (SBU) structural motif with nonbonding Cu...Cu distances that average 2.66 A, with each copper in a nearly square pyramidal geometry. Strong pi-pi stacking interactions of the 1,8-naphthalimide groups organize the structures of 1 and 2 into sheets and into a three-dimensional structure for 1. The propylene connector in the L(C3) ligand allows an arrangement of the 1,8-naphthalimide groups that is different from the square shape of the SBU core. Use of the 4,4'-bipyridine linking ligand produces a three-dimensional structure for 4 organized by both covalent bonds and noncovalent forces where the 1,8-naphthalimide groups organize into a sheet structure and the 4,4'-bipyridine ligands link the sheets. In contrast, in 3, the 1,8-naphthalimide groups overlap to form only one-dimensional ribbons, with the second dimension formed by the 4,4'-bipyridine ligands and the third dimension linked by mechanical interlocking of these two-dimensional units. Although many of the pi-pi stacking interactions of the 1,8-naphthalimide groups are made with the dipole vectors of this group oriented at 180 degrees (head-to-tail arrangement), skewed arrangements are observed in many cases. Ab initio calculations show that the interaction is relatively insensitive to this angle of rotation, apart from the region of steric repulsion when the rotation angle of the dipoles approaches 0 degrees. Structural results also demonstrate that the rings can slip with respect to each other and maintain substantial interactions. Magnetic measurements show that the compounds are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with J values ranging from -270 to -341 cm⁻¹, values typical for these types of dimers. [corrected]

Supramolecular networks of silver(I) and iron(II) complexes of the third generation tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3) (pz = pyrazolyl ring).

The new ligand Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3) (pz = pyrazolyl ring), prepared from the reaction of HOCH(2)C(pz)(3) and Ph(2)P(O)Cl in the presence of base, reacts with either AgBF(4) or Fe(BF(4))(2).6H(2)O in a 2/1 molar ratio to yield {[Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)Ag}(BF(4)) () and {[Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)Fe}(BF(4))(2) (), respectively. In the structure of , the silver is in an unusual planar geometry with each of the ligands in a kappa(2)-kappa(0) coordination mode. Slow evaporation of a thf solution of yields crystalline [Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3)Ag](2)(thf)(2)}(BF(4))(2) (). In each cationic unit of , the two Ph(2)(O)POCH(2)C(pz)(3) ligands coordinate to the same two silver(i) centers in a kappa(2)-kappa(1) bonding mode, with a silver atom separation of 3.36 A. The supramolecular structure of both and is dominated by a pair of cooperative hydrogen bonding interactions between the Ph(2)P(O) secondary tecton and a hydrogen atom from a methylene group situated on a neighboring building block, which arranges the cations in chains. The reaction of HC(pz)(3) and AgO(3)SCF(3) (AgOTf) yields {[HC(pz)(3)](2)Ag(2)}(OTf)(2) (). The cationic unit in has a structure very similar to that of , but with a much shorter distance between the silver atoms at 2.86 A. The supramolecular structure of is dominated by an unusual pyrazolyl embrace interaction where the acceptor ring in the C-Hpi interaction is the pyrazolyl ring kappa(1)-bonded to silver in the adjacent dimeric unit rather than the other ring in a kappa(2)-bonded Cpz(2) unit. This interaction arranges the cations in chains which are further organized into sheets by the triflate anions that link the chains via combined AgO/CHO interactions. The iron in is octahedral with each tris(pyrazolyl)methane unit in the kappa(3)-tripodal coordination mode. The supramolecular structure is sheets formed by hydrogen bonding between the Ph(2)P(O) oxygen and a meta-position hydrogen on one of the diphenylphosphine rings from an adjacent cation.

Structural comparisons of silver(I) complexes of third-generation ligands built from tridentate (o-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)) versus bidentate poly(1-pyrazolyl)methane units (o-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)CH(pz)(2)](2)) (pz = pyrazolyl ring).

The new bitopic, bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane-based ligand o-C6H4[CH2OCH2CH(pz)2]2 (L2, pz = pyrazolyl ring) is prepared from the reaction of (pz)2CHCH2OH (obtained from the reduction of (pz)2CHCOOH with BH3.S(CH3)2) with NaH, followed by the addition of alpha,alpha'-dibromo-o-xylene. The reaction of L2 with AgPF6 or AgO3SCF3 yields {o-C6H4[CH2OCH2CH(pz)2]2(AgPF6)}n or {o-C6H4[CH2OCH2CH(pz)2]2(AgO3SCF3)}n, respectively. Both compounds in the solid state have tetrahedral silver(I) centers arranged in a 1D coordination polymer network. The analogous ligand based on tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane units, o-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2 (L3), reacts with AgO3SCF3 to form a similar coordination polymer, {o-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2(AgO3SCF3)}n. In this case, each tris(pyrazolyl)methane unit in L3 adopts the kappa2-kappa0 bonding mode. Crystallization of a 3:1 mixture of AgO3SCF3 and L3 yields {o-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2(AgO3SCF3)2}n, in which the tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane units adopt a kappa2-kappa1 coordination mode.

Crystal retro-engineering: structural impact on silver(I) complexes with changing complexity of tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands.

The preparation and structures of seven new silver(I) complexes involving the parent tris(pyrazolyl)methane unit, [C(pz)(3)], as the donor set, {[C6H5CH2OCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(BF4), {[C6H5CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2Ag3}(CF3SO3)3, {[HOCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(BF4), {[HOCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(CF3SO3), {[HC(pz)3]2Ag2(CH3CN)}(BF4)2, {[HC(pz)3]Ag}(PF6), and {[HC(pz)3]Ag}(CF3SO3), are reported. This project is based on a retro-design of our multitopic C6H(6-n)[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]n (pz = pyrazolyl ring, n = 2, 3, 4, and 6) family of ligands in such a way that each new ligand has one fewer organizational feature. The kappa2-kappa1 bonding mode of the [C(pz)3] units to two silvers, also observed with the multitopic ligands, is the dominant structural feature in all cases. Changing the counterion has important effects on the local structures and on crystal packing. When these structures are compared to similar ones based on the multitopic C6H(6-n)[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]n ligands, it has been shown that the presence of the rigid parts (central arene core and the [C(pz)3] units) are important in order to observe highly organized supramolecular structures. The presence of the flexible ether linkage is also crucial, allowing all noncovalent forces to manifest themselves in a cumulative and complementary manner.

New N,N,N-heteroscorpionates based on 2,2'-bis(pyrazolyl)ethanamine and its derivatives. Ligands designed for probing supramolecular interactions.

The successful design and synthesis of the new bis(pyrazolyl)ethanamine ligand and its copper(I) triphenylphosphine complex is reported. The ligand coordinates to the copper(I) center in a fac tridentate fashion, through both the pyrazolyl rings and the nitrogen atom from the NH2 group. In the solid state, the compound is organized in a 2D noncovalent network by N-H...pi and C-H...pi interactions and hydrogen bonds. The analogous ligand with a benzyl group substituted on the amine forms a complex with the same copper(I) center that has a similar 2D supramolecular structure and, in addition, is organized by the benzyl synthon into a 3D architecture.

Directional control of pi-stacked building blocks for crystal engineering: the 1,8-naphthalimide synthon.

Incorporating the 1,8-naphthalimide group into bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands triggers the association of their rhenium(i) complexes into directionally ordered dimers in both solution and solid state, as demonstrated by ES+/MS, PGSE-NMR and X-ray diffraction studies.

An unprecedented coordination mode of the tris(pyrazolyl)methane donor set in {[Ph2(O)POCH2C(pz)3 Ag]2 (THF)2}(BF4)2: kappa2-kappa1 bimetallic, N(sigma)/N(pi) chelating.

The structure of the compound {[Ph2(O)POCH2C(pz)3 Ag]2 (THF)2}(BF4)2 (pz = pyrazolyl ring) revealed a new coordination mode for the tris(pyrazolyl)methane donor set: two pyrazolyl rings bridging the same two silvers atoms using normal sigma-type orbitals on the nitrogen donor atoms while the third pyrazolyl ring coordinates side-on to one of the silver atoms with a nitrogen-based pi-type orbital. The dimeric arrangement is also supported by a weak silver-silver interaction. This bonding description is supported by Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations.

Supramolecular structural variations with changes in anion and solvent in silver(I) complexes of a semirigid, bitopic tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand.

The bitopic ligand p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2) (pz = pyrazolyl ring) that contains two tris(pyrazolyl)methane units connected by a semirigid organic spacer reacts with silver(I) salts to yield [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgX)(2)]( infinity ), where X = CF(3)SO(3)(-) (1), SbF(6)(-) (2), PF(6)(-) (3), BF(4)(-) (4), and NO(3)(-) (5). Crystallization of the first three compounds from acetone yields [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgCF(3)SO(3))(2)]( infinity ) (1a), [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgSbF(6))(2)[(CH(3))(2)CO](2)]( infinity ) (2b), and [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)AgPF(6)]( infinity ) (3a), where the stoichiometry for the latter compound has changed from a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1 to 1:1. The structure of 1a is based on helical argentachains constructed by a kappa(2)-kappa(1) coordination to silver of the tris(pyrazolyl)methane units. These chains are organized into a tubular 3D structure by cylindrical [(CF(3)SO(3))(6)](6)(-) clusters that form weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds with the bitopic ligand. The same kappa(2)-kappa(1) coordination is present in the structure of 2a, but the structure is organized by six different tris(pyrazolyl)methane units from six ligands bonding with six silvers to form a 36-member argentamacrocycle core. The cores are organized in a tubular array by the organic spacers where each pair of macrocycles sandwich six acetone molecules and one SbF(6)(-) counterion. The structure of 3a is based on a kappa(2)-kappa(0) coordination mode of each tris(pyrazolyl)methane unit forming a helical coordination polymer, with two strands organized in a double stranded helical structure by a series of C-H...pi interactions between the central arene rings. Crystallization of 2-4 from acetonitrile yields complexes of the formula [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)[(AgX)(2)(CH(3)CN)(n)]]( infinity ) where n = 2 for X = SbF(6)(-) (2b), X = PF(6)(-) (3b) and n = 1 for X = BF(4)(-) (4b). All three structures contain argentachains formed by a kappa(2)-kappa(1) coordination mode of the tris(pyrazolyl)methane units linked by the organic spacer and arranged in a 2D sheet structure with the anions sandwiched between the sheets. Crystallization of 5 from acetonitrile yields crystals of the formula [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgNO(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)]( infinity ), where the nitrate is bonded to the silver. The argentachains, again formed by kappa(2)-kappa(1) coordination, are arranged in W-shaped sheets that have an overall configuration very different from 2b-4b. Treating [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgSbF(6))(2)]( infinity ) with a saturated aqueous solution of KPF(6) or KO(3)SCF(3) slowly leads to complete exchange of the anion. Crystallization of a sample that contains an approximately equal mixture of SbF(6)(-)/PF(6)(-) from acetonitrile yields [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)[Ag(2)(PF(6))(0.78(1))(SbF(6))(1.22(1))(CH(3)CN)(2)][(CH(3)CN)(0.25) (C(4)H(10)O)(0.25)]]( infinity ), a compound with a sheet structure analogous to 2b-4b. Crystallization of the same mixture from acetone yields [p-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2)(AgSbF(6))[(CH(3))(2)CO](1.5)]( infinity ), where the metal-to-ligand ratio is 1:1 and the [C(pz)(3)] units are kappa(2)-kappa(0) bonded forming a coordination polymer. The supramolecular structures of all species are organized by a combination of C-H...pi, pi-pi, or weak C-H-F(O) hydrogen bonding interactions.

Synthesis of open and closed metallacages using novel tripodal ligands: unusually stable silver(I) inclusion compound.

The tripodal ligand 1,3,5-(CH3)3C6[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]3 (L1, pz=pyrazolyl ring) reacts with AgBF4 to yield ([L12Ag3(CH3CN)](BF4)3).(CH3CN)4, an inclusion complex in which the encapsulated acetonitrile cannot escape the triangular cage unit in either the solid or solution phase. The analogous hexatopic ligand C6[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]6 forms a 2-dimensional polymer composed of similar triangular cage units, again with the encapsulation of one acetonitrile molecule, linked by the additional tris(pyrazolyl)methane units. In contrast, the complex formed with L1 and Cd2+ has a double, open cage structure holding two diethyl ether molecules.

Influences of changes in multitopic tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand topology on silver(I) supramolecular structures.

The reactions between silver tetrafluoroborate and the ligands 1,2,4,5-C(6)H(2)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](4) (L1, pz = pyrazolyl ring), o-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2) (L2), and m-C(6)H(4)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](2) (L3) yield coordination polymers of the formula (C(6)H(6)(-)(n)[CH(2)OCH(2)C(pz)(3)](n)(AgBF4)(m))( infinity ) (n = 4, m = 2, 1; n = 2, ortho substitution, m = 1, 2; meta substitution, m = 2, 3). In the solid state, L2 molecules dimerize by a pair of C-H.pi interactions, forming an arrangement that resembles the tetratopic ligand L1. In the solid-state structure of 1, each silver atom is kappa(2)-bonded to two tris(pyrazolyl)methane units from different ligands with the overall structure a polymer made up from 32-atom macrocyclic rings formed by bonding tris(pyrazolyl)methane groups from nonadjacent positions on the central arene rings to the same two silver atoms. In 2, each silver is bonded to two tris(pyrazolyl)methane units in the same kappa(2)-kappa(2) fashion as with 1, forming a polymer chain. The chains are organized into dimeric units by strong face-to-face pi-pi stacking between the central arene rings making bitopic L2 act as half of tetratopic L1. The chains in both structures are organized by weak C-H.F hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions into very similar 3D supramolecular architectures. The structure of 3 contains three types of silvers with the overall 3D supramolecular sinusoidal structure comprised of 32-atom macrocycles. Infrared studies confirm the importance of the noncovalent interactions. Calculations at the DFT (B3LYP/6-31G) level of theory have been carried out on L2 and also support C-H.pi interactions. Electrospray mass spectral data collected from acetone or acetonitrile show the presence of aggregated species such as [(L)Ag(2)(BF(4))](+) and [(L)Ag(2)](2+), despite the fact that (1)H NMR spectra of all compounds show that acetonitrile completely displaces the ligand whereas acetone does not.