Formation and crystal structures of [(alkoxy)bis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato-N,O,N]tin(IV) complexes

Reactions of bis(pyridin-2-yl)ketone with tin tetrahalides, SnX4 (X = Cl or Br), or organotin trichlorides, R′SnCl3 (R′ = Ph, Bu or CH2CH2CO2Me), in ROH (R = Me or Et) readily produces RObis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato)tin complexes, [5: RO(py)2C(OSnX3)] (5: R,X = Me,Cl; Et,Cl; Et,Br) or [6: MeO(py)2C(OSnCl2R′)] (R′ = Ph, Bu, CH2CH2CO2Me). In addition, halide exchange reaction between SnI4 and (5: R,X = Me,Cl) occurred to give (5: R,X = Me,I). The crystal structures of six tin(IV) derivatives indicated, in all cases, a monoanionic tridentate ligand, [RO(py)2C(O−)-N,O,N], arranged in a fac manner about a distorted octahedral tin atom. The Sn–O and Sn–N bonds lengths do not show much variation amongst the six complexes despite the differences in the other ligands at tin.

Graphical abstract[(Alkoxy)bis(pyridin-2-yl)methanolato-N,O,N]tin(IV) complexes, have been obtained from reactions between bis(pyridin-2-yl)ketone and SnX4 or RSnX3 in alcohol solutions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide