1,3,5-triaroylbenzenes as ligands:: Synthesis and characterization of three new coordination polymers from the tritopic ligand 1,3,5-tris(4,4′,4"-tricyanobenzoyl)benzene and Ag(I)X (X = OSO2CF3, BF4, or PF6)

Three new coordination polymers have been prepared from 1,3,5-tris(4-cyanobenzoyl)benzene and the Ag(I) salts AgOTf, AgBF4, and AgPF6. In each instance, the triaroylbenzene derived, ligand serves as a nonchelating bridging unit connecting three different silver ions via coordination to the nitrile moieties. The polymers assembled in the presence of noncoordinating counterions (BF4 and PF6) were found to be topologically similar, and these anions appear to facilitate the generation of channels (approximate dimensions 13 x 17 Angstrom) within the crystalline lattice. The presence of these anions, network interpenetration, and the inclusion of small molecule solvates substantially reduce the overall porosity of these polymers. These results demonstrate the feasibility of constructing crystalline metal-organic coordination polymers from triaroylbenzene building blocks and also provide a starting point for the design of more robust and potentially functional materials.