The synthesis,structural characterization and biocidal properties of some triorganotin(IV) esters of N-arylidene-ω-amino acids.

The methods of synthesis, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopic data and fungicidal activity against Ceratocystis ulmi are reported for a series of triorganotin esters of N-arylidene-ω-amino acids of general formula R₃SnOCO(CH₂)_nN = CHAr (R = Ph, n-Bu; Ar = 2-HOC₆H₄, 2-HOC₁₀H₆; n = 1, 2, 3 and 5). The crystal structures for two of the compounds, tributyltin N-2-hydroxynaphthalidene glycinate ( 1 ) and tributyltin N-2-hydroxynaphthalidene-β-alaninate ( 2 ), have been determined. Although both of these compounds have a trans-R₃SnO₂ structure, in compound 1 the carboxylate group is monodentate and the fifth coordination position around the tin atom is taken up by a coordinated phenolic group, whereas in 2 the carboxylate group is bridging. These two examples thus correspond to the two different structures reported for trans-R₃SnO₂ complexes. Both compounds were found to be active against Ceratocystis ulmi, but there was no significant difference in their levels of biological activity against this particular fungus. Apart from compound 1 , the other tributyltin compounds reported are believed to adopt the carboxylate bridging mode shown by compound ( 2 ). Crystal data: for 1 , crystals monoclinic, space group P 2₁/ c , a = 12.9435(11) Å, b = 13.5769(10) Å, c = 15.7715(12) Å, β = 108.919(6)°, Z = 4, R _f = 0.046 and R _w = 0.058 for 1448 significant reflections; for 2 , crystals monoclinic, space group C 2/ c , a = 24.588(14) Å, b = 9.733(3) Å, c = 27.611(12) Å, β = 113.49(4)°, Z = 8, R _f = 0.053 and R _w = 0.069 for 3822 significant reflections. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.