Fluorescent coordination networks of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(phenylthio) triphenylene and silver(I) triflate

The polycyclic aromatic ligand 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexakis(phenylthio) triphenylene (HPhTT) coordinates with AgTf (Tf = trifluoromethylsulfonate) to form 1D networks with various solvent molecules included. In particular, the crystal structures and photoluminescent properties of compound 1 (formula = 2HPhTT·3AgTf·3toluene) and compound 2 (formula = 2HPhTT·3AgTf·2THF) are described. Both 1 and 2 feature similar network connectivity as well as similar local coordination environments around the silver(I) atoms. The organizations of the guest molecules in the two structures are, however, quite different: In 1, the toluene molecules are enclathrated in isolated cavities by the host network; in 2, the THF molecules are confined in continuous 1D channels. Because of the large aromatic system of the triphenylene moiety, strong fluorescent bands (room temperature) are observed for HPhTT, 1 and 2, with λ_F,max = 447 nm for HPhTT and λ_F,max = 440 nm for both 1 and 2.