Silver ethynide complexes

The structural correlation between various silver-ethynide supramolecular synthons affords a rationale for the preponderant existence of C2 Ag n = 6-10) polyhedra in Ag2C2 complexes (see Section 20.4.5). If the linear C=C-C=C— chain were contracted to a C% dumbbell, further overlap between atoms of the terminal Ag caps would conceivably yield a closed cage with 6-10 vertices (Fig. 20.4.35). 

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