Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV) and its phenanthroline adduct

The reaction of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV), Ph(Et)SnCl₂, with phenanthroline monohydrate (phen·H₂O) in chloroform, in 1:1 mole ratio, afforded Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)]. The crystal structures of dichloroethylphenyltin(IV) and its phenanthroline adduct were studied by X‐ray diffraction. In Ph(Et)SnCl₂ the tin atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment, the distortion probably being imposed by weak intermolecular Sn· · ·Cl interactions. In Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)] the tin atom is in an octahedral trans‐C₂, cis‐Cl₂, N₂ environment and weak intermolecular C–H· · ·Cl interactions connect the molecules throughout the lattice. Spectroscopic studies in solution (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR) were also carried out; the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data in dimethylsulfoxide suggest that Ph(Et)SnCl₂(phen)] remains at least partially undissociated in this solvent. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.