How strong is the Ag+-ligand bond?

A computationally efficient method for calculating the affinity of the silver ion for C-, H-, N-, O- and S-containing ligands is proposed. The silver affinities of 18 ligands and the geometries of these complexes are reported. By comparing with experimental data, the root-mean-square error of this method is found to be 8 kJ mol(-1). Our results suggest that even though the interaction between Ag+ and the ligands studied is predominantly electrostatic in nature, covalent interaction is important in determining the relative ligand affinity and geometry of the complexes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.