Tin dithiocarbamates: applications and structures

The uses and potential utility of tin/organotin dithiocarbamate, ^?S₂CNR′₂, compounds are reviewed. Various derivatives exhibit exciting potential as anti‐cancer agents, anti‐microbial agents and insecticides, e.g. against mosquito larvae. Tin dithiocarbamates have also proven useful as precursors for tin sulfide nanoparticles. There is a wealth of structural data available for such compounds and with the exception of the diorganotin bis(dithiocarbamate) compounds, R₂Sn(S₂CNR′₂)₂, compounds for which different structural motifs are evident, there is a certain degree of homogeneity in the molecular structures for each class of compound unless there are additional coordination sites on the R and/or R′ groups. Owing to the strong coordination potential of the dithiocarbamate ligand for tin, supramolecular aggregates involving secondary Sn…S interactions are the exception rather than the norm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.