| Abstract: | The dissolution of tin metal by iodomethane–water mixtures has been studied and the influence of several parameters on both the extent and rate of reaction investigated. The rate-determining step shows a pseudo-first-order dependence on iodomethane (CH3I). The reaction is strongly dependent upon both water and oxygen. The activation energy of only 16 kJ mol−1 is interpreted in terms of a facile bond-breaking and making process at the metal surface, generating methyltin species. Analysis by hydride generation and GC–AA confirmed the formation of methylated species ranging from monomethyl- to tetramethyl-tin; inorganic tin (from hydrolysis) was the major form, however. These findings are similar to those made earlier by us on the solubilization of arsenic from GaAs by alkyl halide-water mixtures, and a similar multi-step scheme is proposed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
