Dimeric iodine(i) and silver(i) cages from tripodal N-donor ligands via the [N–Ag–N]+ to [N–I–N]+ cation exchange reaction

Complexation of tripodal ligands with silver(I) salts generated M 3 L 2 cage complexes that encapsulated anions within their cavities. Subsequent [N–Ag–N] + to [N–I–N] + cation exchange with I 2 resulted in the corresponding halogen-bonded iodine(I) cages.