Anion-templated silver thiolated clusters affected by carboxylate ligands.

Under the guidance of anion templates VO and SO, the novelty of cluster assembly can be increased by using different carboxylate ligands. Herein, the synthesis, crystal structure and electrochemical properties of three anion-templated silver thiolated clusters are reported, namely VO@Ag(PrS)(CFCO)(DMF) (1), VO@Ag(PrS)(CFCO)(PhCO)(DMF) (2), and [SO@Ag(PrS)(PTA)(HPTA)] (3, HPTA = phthalic acid). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that 1 and 2 are discrete clusters VO@Ag. The addition of PhCOH in the second step of 1 leads to obtaining 2 with different organic shells. If the addition of HPTA is made, 3 with a three-dimensional (3D) structure containing the SO template can be obtained. Both VO and SO templates were generated under solvothermal conditions. This work is the first where heterogeneous silver clusters containing the VO anion template protected by an isopropyl thiolate ligand and a Ag cluster with a 3D structure are obtained. The assembly process influenced by carboxylic acid deserves to be continuously explored in the future.