Synthesis and structural characterization of diorganotin(IV) esters of salicylidene-amino acids

Eight diorganotin esters of salicylidene-L-tryptophan(Sal-T) and salicylidene-L-valine(Sal-V), [(n-Bu)₂Sn(Sal-T)] (1), [(n-Bu)₂Sn(Sal-V)] (2), [Ph₂Sn(Sal-T)] (3), [Ph₂Sn(Sal-V)] (4), [(PhCH₂)₂Sn(Sal-T)] (5), [(PhCH₂)₂Sn(Sal-V)] (6), [(4-ClC₆H₄CH₂)₂Sn(Sal-T)] (7) and [(4-ClC₆H₄CH₂)₂Sn(Sal-V)] (8) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR. The crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Their structures show the tin atoms of two compounds are rendered five-coordinated in distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of di- and triorganotin derivatives with 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiodiazole

A series of organotin(IV) complexes with 2,5-dimercapto-1, 3, 4-thiodiazole (HHdmt) of the type (R_nSnCl_m)₂(dmt) (m=0, n=3, R=Ph 1, PhCH₂2, n-Bu 3; m=1, n=2, R=Ph 4) and [R₂Sn(dmt) · L]_n (L=0.5C₆H₆, R=CH₃5; L=0, n=5, R=n-Bu 6) have been synthesized. All complexes 1-6 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. And except for 3, complexes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 were also determined by X-ray crystallography. The tin atoms of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all five-coordinated. The geometries at tin atoms of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. The tin atoms of complexes 5 and 6 are six-coordinated and their geometries are distorted octahedral.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of four 3D heterometallic cobalt(II)–barium(II) coordination polymers

Four heterometallic complexes, namely {[CoBa(2,5-pdc)₂(H₂O)₃]_n·2nH₂O} (1), [CoBa(2,5-pdc)₂(H₂O)₄]_n (2), [CoBa(2,5-pdc)₂(H₂O)₅]_n (3) and [CoBa₂(2,5-pdc)₃(μ₂-H₂O)₂(H₂O)₄]_n (4) (2,5-H₂pdc?=?pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized both structurally and magnetically. All four complexes exhibit 3D frameworks, in which the Co(II) centers are chelated by pyridine nitrogen and carboxyl oxygen atoms in a five-membered ring. The Ba(II) centers are chelated and bridged by carboxyl oxygen atoms to extend the structures into 3D frameworks. The networks of the complexes can be controlled via rationally choosing the appropriate ligand and tuning the ratio of the two types of metal centers. The magnetic properties of complexes 1, 2 and 4 have been investigated from 2 to 300 K.     

Self-assembly of triorganotin(IV) or diorganotin(IV) moieties and 2-methylpyrazine-5-acid: Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of monomeric, polymeric or tetranuclear macrocyclic compounds

A series of diorganotin(IV) and triorganotin(IV) compounds of the type [R₂Sn(pca)₂ClSnR₃]₂ (RPhCH₂1, 2-ClC₆H₄CH₂2, 2-FC₆H₄CH₂3, 4-FC₆H₄CH₂4, 4-CNC₆H₄CH₂5, 4-ClC₆H₄CH₂6, 2,4-Cl₂C₆H₃CH₂7; Hpca2-methylpyrazine-5-acid), [(ⁿBu)₃Sn(pca)]_∞8, [(CH₃)₂Cl₂Sn(pca)Sn(CH₃)₂(pca)]_∞9, {[(ⁿBu)₂Sn(pca)]₂O}₂10 and {[Ph₂Sn(pca)]₃O₂[Ph₂Sn(OCH₃)]} 11 have been obtained by reactions of 2-methylpyrazine-5-acid with triorganotin(IV) chloride, diorganotin(IV) dichloride, and diorganotin(IV) oxide. All compounds were characterized by elemental, IR, and NMR spectra analyses. The crystal structure of compounds 1, 8-11 were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction, which revealed that compound 1 was tetranuclear macrocyclic structures with seven-coordinate and five-coordinate tin atoms, compounds 8 and 9 were polymeric chain structures with five-coordinate and seven-coordinate tin atoms, compounds 10 and 11 were monomeric structures with six-coordinate and five-coordinate tin atoms.     

Macrocyclic organotin(IV) carboxylates based on benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives: Syntheses, crystal structures and antitumor activities

Six new organotin carboxylates based on 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives, namely (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L¹)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (1) (2,5-H₂L¹ = 2,5-dibenzoylterephthalic acid), (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L²)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (2) (2,5-H₂L² = 2,5-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)terephthalic acid), (Ph₃Sn)₂(2,5-L³)(C₂H₅OH)₂ (3) (2,5-H₂L³ = 2,5-bis(4-ethylbenzoyl)terephthalic acid), [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L¹)O₂(OH)(OC₂H₅)]₂·2(C₂H₅OH) (4) (4,6- H₂L¹ = 4,6-dibenzoylisophthalic acid), [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L¹)O₂(OH)(OC₄H₉)]₂·2(C₄H₉OH) (5) and [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(4,6-L²)O₂(OH)(OC₂H₅)]₂·2(C₂H₅OH) (6) (4,6-H₂L² = 4,6-bis(4-methylbenzoyl)isophthalic acid), have been synthesized. All the organotin carboxylates have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. The structural analysis reveals that complexes 1-3 show similar structures, containing binuclear triorganotin skeletons. The significant intermolecular O-H?O hydrogen bonds linked the complexes 1-3 to form a novel 2D network polymer with 38-member macrocycles. In complexes 4-6, two Sn₄O₄ ladders are connected by two 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives to yield ladder-like octanuclear architectures and form macrocycle with 24 atoms. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied.     

Five novel transition metal coordination polymers with 2D/3D framework structure based on flexible H2tzda and ancillary ligand bpe

Five new transition metal coordination polymers based on H₂tzda and co-ligand bpe, {[M(tzda)(bpe)]·H₂O}_n [M=Zn(1), Cd(2), Mn(3), Co(4)] and [Ni₂(tzda)₂(bpe)₂(H₂O)]_n (5) [H₂tzda=(1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyldithio)diacetic acid, bpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1-4 feature a 2D-layered architecture generated from [M(tzda)]_n moiety with double-chain structure cross-linking bpe spacers. However, the conformations bpe adopts in 3 and 4 are different from those in 1 and 2 due to the rotation of C-C single bond in bpe. Polymer 5 exhibits an interesting 3D porous framework with 2-fold interpenetration, in which intriguing 1D double helix chains are observed. The photoluminescence properties of 1 and 2 in the solid-state at room temperature are investigated. In addition, variable-temperature magnetic data show weak antiferromagnetic behavior in 3-5.     

Syntheses, characterization and crystal structures of di- and triorganotin (IV) derivatives with 6-amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol

A series of organotin (IV) complexes with 6-amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol of the type [(R_nSnCl_4−n)₂ (C₃H₂N₄S₂)] (n = 3: R = Me 1, n-Bu 2, PhCH₂3, Ph 4; n = 2: R = Me 5, n-Bu 6, PhCH₂7, Ph 8) have been synthesized. All the complexes 1-8 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Among them complexes 1, 4, 5 and 8 have also been characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which revealed that the tin atoms of complexes 1, 4, 5 and 8 are all five-coordinated with distorted trigonal bipyramid geometries.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of organotin(IV) carboxylates based on different heterocyclic substituents

Six novel organotin(IV) carboxylates have been successfully synthesized, namely, the polymer (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L1)_∞ (1) [HL1 = 4-imidazolyl benzoic acid], the mononuclear (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L2) (2) [HL2 = 4-pyrazolylbenzoic acid], (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L3)·CH₃OH (3) [HL3 = 4-triazolylbenzoic acid] and (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L4) (4) [HL4 = 4-tetrazolyl benzoic acid] and the tetranuclear [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(L2)₂O₂(OCH₃)₂] (5) and [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(L3)₂O₂(OCH₃)₂] (6). X-ray diffraction analyses show 1D infinite chain of polymer 1, single molecular structures of isomorphous complexes 2 and 4, single molecule structures of complex 3 containing solvent CH₃OH molecule and similar ladder-type structures of complexes 5 and 6. The photoluminescence of ligands and 1-6 were also measured in the solid state at room temperature.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of a series of 3D lanthanide coordination polymers with tripodal semirigid ligand

Reactions of the tripodal bridging ligand 5-(4-carboxy-phenoxy)-isophthalic acid (abbreviated as H₃cpia) with lanthanide salts lead to the formation of a family of different coordination polymers, that is, [Ln(cpia)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (Ln=Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Dy (7), Er (8), Tm (9) and Y (10)) in the presence of formic acid or diethylamine, which are characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), XRPD spectrum and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-10 are isostructural and exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 4, 5 and 7 have been studied in detail.     

Stereoselective hydrostannation of substituted alkynes initiated by triethylborane and reactivity of bulky triorganotin hydrides

This paper reports the results obtained in a study on the radical hydrostannation of mono- and disubstituted alkynes with bulky triorganotin hydrides using triethylborane as initiator. The addition of trineophyl- (1), tris[(phenyldimethylsilyl)methyl]- (2), and 9-tripticyldimethyltin (3) hydride to eight alkynes was carried out at room temperature leading to vinylstannanes in good to excellent yields and, mostly, with complete stereoselectivity. The results obtained in a study on the relative reactivity of trineophyl- (1), tris[(phenyldimethylsilyl)methyl]- (2), 9-triptycyldimethyltin (3) hydrides, and tri-n-butyltin hydride (29) using the radical reactions between these hydrides and 6-bromo-1-hexene (28) are also reported. Full ¹H-, ¹³C-, and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR characteristics are included.     

Investigation on coordination modes of organotin(IV) complexes with 6-thiopurine and related ligands

The organotin(IV) complexes R₂Sn(tpu)₂ · L [L = 2MeOH, R = Me (1); L = 0: R = n-Bu (2), Ph (3), PhCH₂ (4)], R₃Sn(Hthpu) [R = Me (5), n-Bu (6), Ph (7), PhCH₂ (8)] and (R₂SnCl)₂ (dtpu) · L [L = H₂O, R = Me (9); L = 0: R = n-Bu (10), Ph (11), PhCH₂ (12)] have been synthesized, where tpu, Hthpu and dtpu are the anions of 6-thiopurine (Htpu), 2-thio-6-hydroxypurine (H₂thpu) and 2,6-dithiopurine (H₂dtpu), respectively. All the complexes 1-12 have been characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra analyses. And complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 have also been determined by X-ray crystallography, complexes 1 and 2 are both six-coordinated with R₂Sn coordinated to the thiol/thione S and heterocyclic N atoms but the coordination modes differed. As for complex 7 and 9, the geometries of Sn atoms are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. Moreover, the packing of complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 are stabilized by the hydrogen bonding and weak interactions.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and magnetic and luminescent properties of a series of lanthanide coordination polymers with chelidamic acid ligand

A series of lanthanide(III) complexes with chelidamic acid ligand, [Ln(C₇H₂NO₅)·3H₂O]_n·nH₂O (Ln = La (1), Y (2), Sm (3), and Nd (4)), [Gd₂(C₇H₂NO₅)₃·4H₂O]_n·2nH₂O (5) and [Ce(C₇H₂NO₅)·1.5H₂O]_n (6), have been synthesized by hydrothermal method and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1–4 are isostructural and possess 2D framework. Complex 5 contains two different Gd(III) ions linked through carboxylate group to form a 2D framework. Complex 6 exhibits a (4⁴) topology 2D network. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 3 and 5 have been investigated. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of 1, 2, 3, and 5 at room temperature were also studied.     

Syntheses,characterizations and crystal structures of monomeric or macrocyclic compounds of di- or triorganotin (IV) moieties with 4,4′-thiodibenzenethiol

Six organotin compounds with 4,4′-thiodibenzenethiol (LH₂) of the type R_nSnL_4−nSnR_n (n = 3: R = Me 1, Ph 2, PhCH₂3, n = 2: R = Me 4, Ph 5, PhCH₂6) have been synthesized. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectra. The structures of compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 were also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, which revealed that compounds 1 and 2 were monomeric structures, compounds 4, 5 and 6 were centrosymmetric dinuclear macrocyclic structures, and all the tin(IV) atoms are four-coordinated. Furthermore, supramolecular structures were also found in compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, which exhibit one-dimensional chains, two-dimensional networks or three-dimensional structures through intermolecular C–H?S weak hydrogen bonds (WHBs), non-bonded Sn?S interactions or C–H?π interactions.     

Chiral self-assembly of triorganotin complexes: Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) complexes containing (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid ligands

Six new chiral triorganotin(IV) complexes, {(R₃Sn)₂[C₃H₆(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 1; Bu: 2), {(R₃Sn)₂[C₄H₈(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 3; Bu: 4), and {(R₃Sn)₂[C₂H₄O(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 5; Bu: 6) have been prepared by treatment of (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid, with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Bu) and sodium ethoxide in methanol. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and TGA. Except for 3, all of the complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 5 have 2D network structures in which (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid and l-(−)-malic acid act as tetradentate ligands coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions. Complexes 2 and 4 have 3D metal-organic framework structures in which the deprotoned acids serve as tetradentate ligands. Complex 6 adopts a 1D zigzag chain structure and forms a 2D supramolecular framework through intermolecular C-H?O interactions. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied. We also have measured the specific rotation of the chiral dicarboxylic acids and the organotin derivatives.     

Intricate 3D lanthanide-organic frameworks with mixed nodes nets

Three lanthanide-organic frameworks formulated as [Yb₂(1,3-pda)₃(H₂O)]_n·nH₂O (1) [La₂(2,5-pydc)₃(H₂O)₂]_n (2) and [La(2,5-pydc)(2,5-Hpydc)(H₂O)₂]_n·nH₂O (3) (H₂1,3-pda=1,3-phenylenediacetic acid, H₂2,5-pydc=pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the frameworks of compounds 1 and 2 exhibit intricate 3D architectures which can be simplified as nets with mixed nodes. Compound 1 presents a very complicated net with five types of nodes comprising intersecting (3,4)-connected and CdSO₄ nets. Compound 2 possesses a (4,4,6)-connected net with (4²8⁴)(4⁴6²)₂(4⁹6⁶)₂ circuit symbol. While compound 3 is a 2D layer based upon carboxyl-bridged La^III chains.     

A series of 2D lanthanide (III) coordination polymers constructed from 2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate

Reactions of 2-(pyridine-3-yl)-1H-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (H₃PyIDC) with a series of Ln(III) ions affords ten coordination polymers, namely, {[Ln(H₂PyIDC)(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n [Ln=Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3) and Gd (4)], {[Ln(HPyIDC)(H₂O)₃]·(H₂PyIDC)·H₂O}_n [Ln=Gd (5), Tb (6), Dy (7), Ho (8) and Er (9)], and {[Y₂(HPyIDC)₂(H₂O)₅]·(bpy)·(NO₃)₂·3H₂O}_n (10) (bpy=4,4′-bipyridine). They exhibit three types of networks: complexes 1-4 are isomorphous coordination networks containing neutral 2D metal-organic layers, while complexes 5-9 are isomorphous, which consist of cationic metal-organic layers and anionic organic layers, and complex 10 is a 2D network built up from 4-connected HPyIDC²⁻ anion and 4-connected Y(III) ions. In addition, thermogravimetric analyses and solid-state luminescent properties of the selected complexes are investigated. They exhibit intense, characteristic emissions in the visible region at room temperature.     

Structural diversity of di and triorganotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid: Supramolecular structures involving intermolecular Sn?O, O-H?O or C-H?X (X = O or S) interactions

Twelve new organotin complexes with 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid of two types: R_nSn[S(C₆H₄COOH)]_4−n (I) (n = 3: R = Me 1, n-Bu 2, Ph 3; PhCH₂4; n = 2: R = Me 5; n-Bu 6, Ph 7, PhCH₂8) and R₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnR₃ · mEtOH (II) (m = 0: R = Me 9, n-Bu 10, PhCH₂12; m = 2: R = Ph 11), along with the 4,4′-bipy adduct of 9, [Me₃Sn(SC₆H₄COO)SnMe₃]₂(4,4-bipy) 13, have been synthesized. The coordination behavior of 4-sulfanylbenzoic acid is monodentate in 1-8 by thiol S atom but not carboxylic oxygen atom. While, in 9-13 it behaves as multidenate by both thiol S atom and carboxylic oxygen atoms. The supramolecular structures of 6, 11 and 13 have been found to consist of 1D molecular chains built up by intermolecular O-H?O, C-H?O or C-H?S hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular aggregation of 7 is 2D network determined by two C-H?O hydrogen bonds. Extended intermolecular C-H?O interactions in the crystal lattice of 9 link the molecules into a 2D network.     

Synthesis and characterization of some organo-all-tin dendrimers with different peripheral substituents

The synthesis of the first all-tin-dendrimer Sn[(CH₂)₄SnPh₃]₄ (2) results from complete hydrostannation of tetra(but-3-enyl)stannane (1) with triphenyltin hydride. Selective cleavage of one phenyl group from each dendron of 2 with anhydrous HCl results in Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(Cl)Ph₂]₄ (3), which on treatment with LiAlH₄ yields the corresponding hydride derivative Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(H)Ph₂]₄ (4) containing four reactive Sn-H bonds. The cyclopentadienyl derivative Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn(C₅H₅)Ph₂]₄ (5) as well as the transition metal substituted derivatives Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Co(CO)₄}Ph₂]₄ (6), Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Fe(CO)₂C₅H₅}Ph₂]₄ (7), and Sn[(CH₂)₄Sn{Mn(CO)₅}Ph₂]₄ (8) have been prepared by coupling of 3 with the appropriate Grignard or sodium derivatives of the transition metal moieties. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.     

New bipyridyl/phenanthroline ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes possessing acetate appended thioether. Evidence for oxidative linkage isomerization

The acetate bearing dithioether, sodium di(2-carboxymethylsufanyl)maleonitrile, L¹ upon reaction with [Ru^II(bpy)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O, [Ru^II(phen)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O, [Ru^III(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ or [Ru^III(phen)₂Cl₂]⁺ in methanol formed complexes of the type [(bpy)₂Ru{S₂(CH₂COO)₂C₂(CN)₂}], (1), [(phen)₂Ru{S₂(CH₂COO)₂C₂(CN)₂}], (2), [(bpy)₂Ru{(OOCCH₂)₂S₂C₂(CN)₂}]⁺, (5) and [(phen)₂Ru{(OOCCH₂)₂S₂C₂(CN)₂}]⁺, (6) respectively. Four other Ru(III) complexes with di(benzylsulfanyl)maleonitrile, L², [(bpy)₂Ru{S₂(PhCH₂)C₂(CN)₂}]³⁺, (7) and [(phen)₂Ru{S₂(PhCH₂)₂C₂(CN)₂}]³⁺, (8), and with acetate, [(bpy)₂Ru(OOCCH₃)₂]⁺, (9) and [(phen)₂Ru(OOCCH₃)₂]⁺, (10) were also synthesized. In the cyclic voltammetry, complexes (1) and (2) exhibited quasireversible oxidation waves at 1.01 and 1.02 V vs. Ag/AgCl over GC electrode in DMF, while the corresponding Ru(III) L¹ complexes (5) and (6) exhibit reversible oxidation at E_1/2 0.59 and 0.58 V, respectively, under identical conditions. This is unlike the voltammetric behavior of the Ru(II) and Ru(III) L² complexes, wherein the complex pairs (3), (7) and (4), (8) exhibited identical voltammograms with single reversible one electron waves at E_1/2 0.98 and 0.92 V, respectively under identical conditions. The voltammograms of Ru(II)-L² complexes (3) and (4) also became irreversible in presence of nearly four molar equivalent of sodium acetate. Hence, the irreversible redox behavior of complexes (1) and (2) has been interpreted in terms of rapid linkage isomerization, i.e. shift in κ²-S,S′ to κ²-O,O′ coordination, following the Ru(II)/Ru(III) electrode process. The electronic spectra of Ru(III)-L¹ complexes (5) and (6) resemble closely with that of (9) and (10) instead of Ru(III)-L² complexes (7) and (8), further supports proposed linkage isomerization. The cationic complexes were obtained as [PF₆]⁻ salts and all compounds were characterized using analytical and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, UV-vis and mass) data.     

Di-n-butyltin(IV)-catalyzed dimethyl carbonate synthesis from carbon dioxide and methanol: An in situ high pressure Sn{H} NMR spectroscopic study

The reactivity of five di-n-butyltin(IV) complexes, n-Bu₂Sn(OR)₂ (1), n-Bu₂SnO (3), [n-Bu₂Sn(OR)]₂O (4), (n-Bu₂SnO)₂(CO₂) (6) and (n-Bu₂SnO)₆[(n-Bu₂SnOR)₂(CO₃)]₂ (7) (R = CH₃), with CO₂, suggested as possible catalyst precursors and key-intermediates for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from carbon dioxide and methanol, has been investigated using high-pressure ¹¹⁹Sn{¹H} NMR (HP-NMR) spectroscopy. Four of the five precursors studied, i.e. 3, 4, 6 and 7 give rise to an identical ¹¹⁹Sn{¹H} NMR pattern which can be explicitly attributed to the fingerprint of the dimeric form of the 1-methoxy-3-methylcarbonatotetrabutyldistannoxane {5}₂. However, with 1, a new pair of signals is observed in addition to the characteristic ¹¹⁹Sn{¹H} NMR resonances of the dimeric hemicarbonato species {2}₂ and {5}₂, which can be attributed to the in situ formation of an unprecedented species suggested to be the trinuclear carbonato di-n-butyltin(IV) complex, 8.