Functionalized alkoxy tin clusters as nanobuilding blocks for hybrid materials

We report in this work the preparation and characterization of hybrid materials from a novel tin(IV) alkoxodimer of formula [Sn(OPri)2(O2CC(CH3)CH2)2]2 (OPri = (CH3)2CHO) whose structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy. This molecule has been used as a nanobuilding block in the preparation of new hybrid materials by combining it with several organic monomers, like methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate and styrene, at different molar ratios. The obtained polymers have been characterized by several techniques. The results show that the dimer is incorporated in the polymer network by organic bonds that cross-link the polymer chains very efficiently. Consequently, the incorporation of the cluster has improved the thermal properties of the parent polymer allowing their modulation by adjusting the concentration of the cluster.