AgI‐Directed Triple‐Stranded Helicates with meta‐Ethynylpyridine Ligands

A series of triple-stranded complexes, [1a3Ag]BF4, [1b3Ag]BF4, [2a3Ag2](BF4)2, [2b3Ag2](BF4)2, and [33Ag3](BF4)3, have been obtained through the self-assembly of AgI ions with p-phenylene ethynylpyridine ligands. X-ray crystallographic studies unambiguously demonstrated a AgI-directed monodentate triple-stranded helical structure in the solid state for 1b and 2b. A combination of NMR spectroscopy, HRMS (ESI), and isothermal titration microcalorimetry studies further confirmed that strands 1, 2, and 3 are also able to form triple-stranded helical structures in the presence of AgI ions in solution.