Trapping of Ag+ into a Perfect Six-Coordinated Environment: Structural Analysis, Quantum Chemical Calculations and Electrochemistry

Self-assembly of (Bu4N)4[β-Mo8O26], AgNO3, and 2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imino]acenaphthene (dpp-bian) in DMF solution resulted in the (Bu4N)2[β-{Ag(dpp-bian)}2Mo8O26] (1) complex. The complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), diffuse reflectance (DR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and elemental analysis. Comprehensive SCXRD studies of the crystal structure show the presence of Ag+ in an uncommon coordination environment without a clear preference for Ag-N over Ag-O bonding. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to qualify the nature of the Ag-N/Ag-O interactions and to assign the electronic transitions observed in the UV–Vis absorption spectra. The electrochemical behavior of the complex combines POM and redox ligand signatures. Complex 1 demonstrates catalytic activity in the electrochemical reduction of CO2.