Diorganotin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes as chromogenic sensors of anion binding

One dinuclear chlorodiphenyltin (IV) dithiocarbamate complex (1) and four mononuclear complexes of general formula Ph₂Sn(S₂CNR)Cl (2, 3, 5, and 6) have been synthesized and characterized both in solid-state and solution. X-ray structures for complexes 1, 3 and 6 demonstrated a five-coordination geometry around of tin atoms, in which dithiocarbamate ligand chelates asymmetrically the metal center. As shown by ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy, five-coordination geometry observed in the solid-state remains in solution. The stability of these chlorodiphenyltin(IV) dithiocarbamate complexes in the presence of biologically relevant anions such as acetate, dicarboxylates of general formula ^?OOC-(CH₂)_n-COO^? (n = 2–8), dihydrogenphosphate, hydrogensulfate, and halides has been examined in acetonitrile solutions. For all of these organotin(IV) complexes the displacement of the coordinated ligands (i.e., chloride and dithiocarbamate) from the organotin(IV) moiety occurred in the presence of monoanions like acetate, dihydrogenphosphate, hydrogensulfate and fluoride. A stepwise mechanism for ligand exchange is proposed based on UV–Vis, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn spectroscopic data, as well as mass spectrometry. From UV–Vis titration experiments it was found that dicarboxylates with small spacers like malonate and succinate, acted differently in the exchange of the dithiocarbamate group in comparison to other monoanionic O donor ligands or dicarboxylates with longer chains, perhaps by following an intramolecular displacement of the coordinated ligand.The lability of these organotin(IV) dithiocarbamate compounds in solution hampers their use as stably host for anions, however, by taking advantage of the intrinsic chromogenic properties of free dithiocarbamate anions, or by attaching dithiocarbamate groups to well-known fluorescent moieties such as antracene, these complexes can sense the presence of O-donor anions at very low concentrations by displacement of the metal-coordinated dithiocarbamate.