Crystal- packing motifs of [Ag4L4]4+ star- burst tetrahedra

Further examples of a metallo-supramolecular ‘star-burst’ tetrahedron are reported from reaction of the ligand tris(4-pyridylmethylamino)cyclotriguaiacylene, 1, and AgPF6 in the presence of dinitrile species, or from reaction of 1 with Ag[1-Ph-closo-1-CB9H8-6-I]. Complex [Ag4(1)4(CH3CN)3]·4(PF6)·5(CH3CN)·(H2O) has a hexagonal structure where packing of the [Ag4(1)4]4+ tetrahedra mimics the close-packing of spheres. In complex {Ag4(1)4(CH3CN)2[PhCB9H8I]2}·2[PhCB9H8I]·11(CH3CN) the [1-Ph-closo-1-CB9H8-6-I]− anion coordinates to the [Ag4(1)4]4+ tetrahedron through Ag–I and Ag⋯H–B interactions, and a less symmetric packing motif is found. The synthesis and crystal structure of the novel monocarbaborane species (NEt4)[1-Ph-closo-1-CB9H8-6-I] are also reported.