Silver(I) and Copper(I) Complexes of Dicarboxylic Acid Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Studies

A family of silver(I) and copper(I) complexes containing carboxylate ligands were prepared from the corresponding carboxylic acids and Ag2O. The compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic methods and X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, the silver(I) salts are coordination polymers based on dinuclear silver species with bridging carboxylate ligands. The reaction of these silver salts with Ph3P gives four-coordinate, tetrahedral bis(phosphine) complexes. Analogous copper(I) bis(phosphine) compounds were prepared by the reduction of copper(II) carboxylates with Ph3P. Decomposition temperatures and thermal decomposition products were studied by TGA/DSC measurements. The metal compounds decomposed cleanly to their respective metals (silver or copper) at temperatures ranging from 206 to 338 °C.