Abstract
Novel self-assembled supramolecular networks were prepared by the interactions of thiacalix[4]arenes bearing simple alkyl groups on the lower rim (4x MeO-, 4x n-PrO-) with silver triflate. Contrary to the classical calix[4]arenes (with CH2 bridges between the aromatic moieties), the presence of four sulfur atoms enables the formation of S-Ag-S connections between the individual molecules leading to the coordination topology so far unknown in calixarene chemistry.
These systems form infinite 1-D coordination polymeric structures in the solid state, where the thiacalixarene moieties are preorganized in a side-by-side arrangement. Interestingly, the linear coordination polymers were obtained using both the conformational immobilised (4x n-PrO, cone, 1,3-alternate conformers) and the conformational mobile (4x MeO) thiacalix[4]arenes, which indicates the generality of this behaviour in thiacalixarene series.