Solvent-induced supramolecular isomerism in silver(I) 2-methylimidazolate

Three pseudo-polymorphs of silver(1) 2-methylimidazolates have been prepared via liquid diffusions with variations of the templating solvent molecules. Among them, the solvated isomers [Ag-4(mim)(4)center dot(C6H6)](infinity) (1a, Pnna, a = 19.6228(8) angstrom, b = 10.4307(4) angstrom, c = 12.7867(5) angstrom, Hmim = 2-methylimidazole) and [Ag-4(mim)4 center dot(C8H10)](infinity) (1b, P2(1)/c, a = 12.6836(16) angstrom, b = 19.726(2) angstrom, c = 11.1137(13) angstrom, b = 101.835(3)degrees) exhibit peculiar pseudo-8(1) helical and S-shaped chains, respectively, which are further extended through short interchain Ag-I center dot center dot center dot Ag-I contacts (2.9848(4) angstrom and 3.2451(2) angstrom for 1a, 3.0224(6) angstrom and 3.0744(6) angstrom for 1b) into complex 3- D networks, whereas the unsolvated isomer [Ag(mim)](infinity) (1c, P2(1)/n, a = 7.8906(7) angstrom, b = 5.9706(5) angstrom, c = 10.8708(9) angstrom, beta = 92.452(1)degrees) exhibits a simple zigzag chain without obvious intermolecular interactions.