A novel ladder-type coordination polymer (CP), poly[(μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2
N:N′){μ-4-[(4-carboxybenzyloxy)methyl]benzoato-κO}silver(I)](Ag—Ag), [Ag(C16H13O5)(C10H8N2)]
n
or [Ag(HL)(4,4′-bpy)]
n
{H2
L is 4,4′-[oxybis(methylene)]dibenzoic acid and 4,4′-bpy is 4,4′-bipyridine}, was synthesized using hydrothermal methods. The complex was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and is a ladder-type CP which exhibits an obvious Ag—Ag interaction. The legs of the ladder are formed by parallel 4,4′-bipy ligands and silver ions, and the rungs are constructed by Ag—Ag interactions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out and is discussed in detail. The complex also displays favourable fluorescence properties.