Mössbauer and NMR characterization of tin octoate: Neat and residues in RTV foams

We have investigated hydrolysis and oxidation effects on tin octoate and on tin-octoate residues in RTV polysiloxane foams by means of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (MS). ¹¹⁹Sn NMR showed the presence of various tin species whereas ¹¹⁹Sn MS detected the presence of two oxidation states: Sn(II) and Sn(IV). The relative abundance of Sn(IV) increased as both the tin octoate and the foam aged. Foams were also solvent extracted and no selective extraction of one tin oxidation state was observed; both oxidation states were detected. ¹³C NMR indicated that octanoic acid is present in the tin octoate and in the foams as a residue. MS data showed that aging treatments of the foams and of the neat catalyst have a great effect on the tin oxidation state. The two spectroscopic methods complement each other in following the effects of hydrolysis and oxidation.