Synthesis and chemico-physical characterization of tin(IV) complexes with some crown ethers

Abstract Some neutral adducts of diorganotin(IV) perchlorates and thiocyanates with three crown-ethers have been synthesised; they are of the type Me 2 SnX 2 L m · n H 2 O where m = 1 or 2, n = 2 or 4, X = ClO 4 or NCS, and L = 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, and 12-crown-4. The values for m and n have been correlated with the coordinating ability of the two anions and with the steric hindrance by the crown ether molecules. From infrared and Mossbauer data, an octahedral coordination geometry is proposed for all the complexes. The Mossbauer parameters are discussed in terms of the electronegativity of the ligands on the tin(IV) center and of the distortions produced in the coordination polyhedra by the various crown-ether molecules. Preliminary DTG results suggest that it may be possible to obtain anhydrous complexes.